Salmon: State Bank had operations in Channel Islands – Financieele Dagblad

Gerrit Zalm awaits the findings of the Tax off before deciding whether ABN Amro continues with the provision of services through the Channel Islands where clients can in their investments hide. “I see no reason to stop, but we’ll talk and we’ll see what the tax authorities find it,” says the chairman of the board of directors of the bank, which is 80% state-owned.

Salmon was in the House for a hearing on the ECB policy, but was afterwards to the press about the discredited activities of the subsidiary of the bank, Martello Guernsey. Which acts on behalf of clients as shareholder (nominee shareholder) in companies in tax havens and have featured as such in Panama Papers.

Research Dijsselbloem

Dijsselbloem Finance Minister announced Tuesday that the tax authorities will investigate whether there is improper activities through the state Bank. In 2013, ABN has not yet promised to cooperate on tax evasion and “aggressive tax planning” by customers. “The question now is whether their activities as full compliance,” said the minister and shareholder.

Salmon pointed delicately on Wednesday that the ministry knows very well which develops activities of ABN private bank. “The State bought the ABN Amro operations in the Channel Islands themselves. The trust activities are then immediately discarded. This is not. We do it for 30 years “, says Salmon, himself a pastor of Dijsselbloem as VVD Finance Minister.

Gerrit Zalm (Photo: HH)

Share with authorities

Salmon pointed out that the bank account of each knows who the final holder and owner. “That we know of each transaction and we share with the competent authorities.” According to Salmon, it is a normal activity for a large private bank.

“If you just saves or invests in listed shares, that’s just at the bank. But for unlisted real estate for instance, is often a company is created to keep separate from the assets of the bank “, says Salmon. “It’s not much different than a savings or investment account.

No guarantee

The bank can then not guarantee no tax avoidance. “We can not enter into the shoes of the taxpayer. We also do not know whether clients pay taxes on things they have in our lockers. ” The bank does take leave of customers that they know who want to evade taxes conscious, he assures. “We want to get rid of him.”

Incidentally Salmon anticipates that the issue will soon be out of the world, now there retroactively 1 jnauari 2016 an automatic exchange of information is initiated from 100 countries around the Channel Islands covered.

The first meeting between the bank and the tax authorities will Friday. Salmon does not yet know whether it still follows a more extensive investigation.