Chris Gardiner

"What we are seeing now is euro power," said Chris Gardiner, an associate director at Lloyds TSB Offshore in Stanford, Conn. "The strength of the euro is proving attractive to U.S. consumers/investors.

borderless banking and investment services," says Chris Gardiner, Associate Director of Lloyds TSB Offshore Limited.

While U.S. mortgages typically have monthly payments, Lloyds TSB Offshore Limited has quarterly payments, said Chris Gardiner, associate director for Lloyds TSB Offshore, and head of its Stamford office.

Lloyds will loan a minimum of $150,000.It sets a maximum term of 30 years and an age limit of 70 years old.It boasts no prepayment penalty.Unlike most U.S. lenders, it doesn't check credit scores, according to Gardiner.It looks at property equity and verifies income by such documentation as employer pay slips and tax returns.

For the self-employed, Gardiner said, the bank will check certified accounts and balance statements.The institution says it will do as much as 75% of the value in pre-approved financing, and in certain instances, 80%.

Under its program, borrowers are permitted to switch currencies quarterly.They can do it twice annually for free, after which there is a $150 charge per currency switch, Gardiner said.

"As global commuting becomes the norm, there is a significant need for financial institutions to meet the demands of individuals who require borderless banking and investment services," says Chris Gardiner, Associate Director of Lloyds TSB Offshore Limited.