For international day of banks, we wanted to talk about what Swiss private banks offer Americans in terms of safety and privacy for their personal wealth information. The reality is that Swiss bank accounts are 100% legal for Americans to hold financial assets in, and there are some incredible perks that come with having a Swiss investment account as an American. The two benefits we will be focusing on today are safety and privacy.

It is crucial for our clients to understand U.S. reporting and tax requirements in regard to an offshore bank account. While having a bank account overseas is absolutely legal, it is important to set the structure up in a compliant way and to report it properly. Our blog will cover the reporting requirements that apply to Americans with investment accounts held in offshore accounts.

One of the questions we get asked by prospective clients seeking offshore investment diversification through us as an independent asset management firm is: "How do you determine which custodian banks to work with?" The answer to this question is quite complex, so we will use this blog to give insight into how we determine where to begin our search for top-level private banks. We will briefly cover why we find Switzerland and Liechtenstein to be premiere economic environments for finding the right custodian bank for our clients.

By the end of this blog, you will know in greater detail the challenges and benefits of establishing a Swiss bank account with an asset manager. Transparency is key when establishing a business relationship, because of this, it is our intention to paint a realistic picture for North Americans of the setup, process, and present and future benefits there are of having an offshore bank account with a Swiss asset manager.

For the June issue of the Simon Letter, our Managing Partner Jamie Vrijhof-Droese wrote a piece on how to choose an external asset manager. The piece covers what to consider when choosing a financial partner as well as specific questions to ask in the due diligence process.

When selecting a financial advisor there are many options an individual can choose from, whether they be an asset management branch of a bank, a private investor, a family office, or an independent investment advisor both domestic or offshore. Since we are based offshore we have already written extensively on why one might choose an offshore jurisdiction for financial services (Switzerland: Safe Haven during Crisis) and also how to choose a financial advisor (How to choose an External Asset Manager for U.S. Citizens). Both of those topics are important and worth spending some time thinking about. However, today we want to delve into what the benefits are of working with an independent registered investment advisor versus being served by the asset management branch of a larger bank.

You may be tempted to panic or sell when the stock market is down. However, with a wise strategy you may want to reconsider saying the course. Here's why. Billionaire and real estate magnate Warren Buffet told CNBC in 2016 that buying or selling in a rush may not be the best strategy. “If [worried investors are] trying to buy and sell stocks, and worry when they go down a little bit … and think they should maybe sell them when they go up, they're not going to have very good results." Such a panic move could unbalance your portfolio where you are either taking on more or less risk than you should.

Are you frustrated with the level of growth you experience when you attempt to invest on your own? Do you feel left out when your friends or coworkers talk about how much money they are making in the market while the value of your portfolio barely budges? If the answer is yes, it is probably a good time for you to take the next step in your investing journey and ditch DIY investing by finally hiring a professional. A good financial advisor can bring your portfolio to a higher level.

Recently inherited an IRA? The wrong move could cost a boat load in taxes and penalties, but you have options. Governing bodies like the IRS and legislation such as the SECURE Act have outlined important rules regarding an inherited IRA, such as how much you may owe in taxes as well as whether you will need to begin taking required minimum distributions. These can depend on several factors, such as your relationship to the deceased, whether the IRA inherited is Roth or traditional and more.

While an investment advisor can be helpful in any situation, hiring one is typically more important when you are nearing retirement or have complex issues and questions to sort out. From your needs and objectives to your risk tolerance and timeframe, there are a variety of factors your investment advisor will consider when designing your customized investment strategy. However, before you hire an investment advisor to help you grow your assets, it’s important to ask yourself these four key questions first.

Capital gains taxes apply to more than stocks. Capital gains taxes can apply to any other property that acquires value over time. These taxes are calculated by subtracting the cost of the investment from the final selling price of said investment. And the amount you pay will depend on a variety of factors. Here's how capital gains taxes work and a few methods you can use for reducing them.

Learning about a company should be part of doing your due diligence prior to earning. Here’s how to read a company’s quarterly earnings report. Learning how to read companies’ reports comes in handy when assessing the overall position of a company, especially their financial well-being.

Right now, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including an adjustment to current estate tax law to help pay for the Build Back Better Plan. This timely piece examines current estate taxes and cautions against any sudden estate changes in the near future.

There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law changes, including an adjustment to capital gains taxes. Many ideas are being considered as legislators look for ways to raise revenue to help pay for the Build Back Better plan.

You want to check off all the boxes when it comes to making an estate planning strategy. But it can be hard to see what you may still be missing. As you work with your financial professional, start by reviewing these 9 questions.

Meme stocks make headlines - but do they make good investments? Before the next hot stock emerges, here's what to know about meme stocks.

Jamie Vrijhof-Droese, a Managing Partner at WHVP Ltd., spoke about opening and managing an offshore bank account. Among the advantages of opening offshore accounts, it is worth noting the withdrawal of part of the funds outside the country, taking advantage of investments in other regions. According to Jamie, if you take 20-30% of your assets offshore, it will reduce the level of volatility and increase the level of capital stability. Jamie also talked about why Switzerland is an excellent financial center. For example, a low level of public debt, when compared with the United States, as well as a stable economy. Regulation.

If you own assets outside of the United States, it's important to understand your potential tax obligations. What's a FATCA, and who does it impact? Here's what you'll need to know.

When deciding who should handle your finances, it's important to find the best advisor for your unique situation. These 6 questions can help your search go smoother.

Are you looking for a Wealth Manager? We spoke about the five things to consider when selecting a wealth manager at last week's Bosco Conference.