What a year… We remember well where we found ourselves a year ago and yes, we have to admit that we did not expect markets to have taken off the way they did… It was an eventful year. There were the trade wars, the riots in France, and Brexit. However, no geopolitical hot spot has been able to slow down enthusiasm in the markets.

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.

By using an asset manager outside your own country, you gain a practical degree of financial privacy and asset protection. Since lawyers size up targets for lawsuits by looking for their money, someone considering suing you may decide to find a target with more visible wealth. In addition, a portfolio manager outside your domestic jurisdiction is likely to target different investments than a domestic manager would, leading to a greater investment diversification, and thus greater resiliency in your overall portfolio.

Ted Bauman interviews Jamie Vrijhof-Droese on her new book with Bob Bauman. Bob Bauman's new book is an overview of the many investment opportunities for Americans in Switzerland to add an international diversification component to their investment portfolios. Completely legal and complaint with the SEC to invest offshore in Switzerland. View full video for details!