Many people are skeptical about working with an offshore wealth manager. Don't let these 15 myths deter you.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is a U.S. law that took effect in 2010. It requires foreign financial institutions (like Swiss banks) to report U.S. connected people (e.g. passport holders and green card holders, even if they are residing outside the U.S.) to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

You may think you need to choose a wealth manager in your local area, but there are a lot of reasons not to limit your choices. Here are some factors to consider first when weighing your options.

If you have researched registered investment advisors, you have probably read the term “ADV Brochure”. You have come to the right place if you have wondered what exactly this refers to! This is a document registered investment advisors (RIA) have to submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The ADV brochure provides an overview of the company. RIAs have to update and file it annually. Lastly, the RIA needs to make it publicly available if it manages more than USD 25m.

Some thoughts and considerations when trying to decide which partner is the best fit to help you achieve your financial goals.

After accumulating a certain amount of wealth, you will have to think about where and how to invest it. There is an abundance of options out there. However, if you decide to work together with a professional partner and not do it all by yourself, you have two main choices. Going directly to a bank and getting advice from their relationship managers or selecting an external asset manager (EAM). Depending on your needs there are advantages and disadvantages to both options. But today I would like to focus on the advantages of an external asset manager.

If you are considering working with an independent asset manager it is important to know how to do your due diligence. What are relevant questions that help you find the right financial partner for you? Some times it is hard to work through all the information out there and to pick the right questions. To make things easier we have put together a list of 50 essential questions you should consider asking when talking to a potential new asset manager.