This paper sheds light on the expatriate -local relationship based on local employees' perspectives of expatriate managers. Drawing on a survey of local employees working in three Western multinational banks in Jordan, the study explores local employees' views on expatriate managers and their performance. The study reveals that local employees are generally indifferent to their manager's nationality as long as the manager has the capability to drive the subsidiary forward. However, one key concern of locals is the ability of expatriates to adapt to the local culture and business environment. The study also points towards a significant gap between the formal rationale for expatriation by multinational companies and what local employees perceive as real reasons behind expatriation.