Inflation is increasing prices and a fall in the purchasing value of money. Banks and governments make inflation sound complicated as it serves their interest. It’s a hidden tax. Government-created inflation weakens the value of the currency, our money buys less. As evidenced by the recent debt ceiling farce, politicians have no interest in fiscal sanity or balancing the budget. While many predict the demise of the dollar, and much of the world is assisting in the erosion of the USD as the world currency, there are other factors. Urs Vrijhof-Droese is the Managing Partner of WHVP, international asset managers. Urs, an expert in international banking is based in Zurich. I’m a WHVP client. His recent article, The Swiss View – Cash is King got my attention.

In an ever-evolving global economy, defined by an ever-increasing debt ceiling, skyrocketing inflation, geopolitical tensions, and deep-seated political division, the quest for financial security has taken on a new level of urgency. As the foundations of the U.S. financial system quivers under the weight of uncertainty, astute investors are turning their attention to offshore banking for a shield against potential storms.

In this interview, WHVP team member Jess Roberson will share what it has been like working in Switzerland as an American with WHVP. Those reading this interview will get an inside look into how an American sees Swiss working life with WHVP and the benefits of the Swiss-American connection from a professional and personal standpoint.

On this podcast episode, the WHVP team sits down to talk about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and the initiative being presented to the Swiss government to ensure that cash stays a part of the Swiss economy forever. In addition, the team will briefly discuss the current debt limit standoff taking place in the U.S. government. We hope you enjoy it!

The due diligence required to find the right registered investment advisor (RIA) to partner with can be daunting. People often think seeking the best possible return is the only thing they must consider. While understanding how an RIA handles its investments is important, it is only a piece of what needs to be researched on a company. You must understand and know the RIA fully and that a relationship of mutual trust can be built over time. For this reason, we have put together this guide for investors to use in vetting potential RIAs as their partners for the future of their wealth.

Expecting a slowdown in economic growth will most likely lead to a reduction in corporate gains. So far, companies were able to pass on price increases in raw materials to their clients. Additionally, managers try to keep their profit margins by letting off employees and transform their production to more efficiency. Not everyone will be successful in this environment and will be able to keep the profit margin on a high level. However, there will be firms that find ways to become more price efficient or increase their product or service’s quality to a level which increases the consumers willingness to pay higher prices. Long story short, “Cash is King!”. Accordingly, it is crucial to look out for companies that generate a cash flow that enables them to run their business, invest for the future, and if the time is ripe to acquire one or the other company to either grow their market share or use synergies.

As the banking crisis in the U.S. rages on, our managing partner Jamie Vrijhof-Droese was asked to write an explanation of what is happening with the Swiss banking system for the Global Intelligence Letter. The article covers Switzerland's long banking tradition and major structural advantages, including its well-managed public finances, strong and stable currency, and very low debt levels. It discusses the fall of Credit Suisse and how WHVP approaches selecting the custodian banks we partner with. The article will help the reader understand why the Swiss banking system is still one of the world's largest and most popular wealth management sectors.

Ted Baumann, International Living’s Global Diversification Expert, and Jamie Vrijhof-Droese discuss the recent situation with the Credit Suisse bank, the effectiveness of the Swiss Financial sector management and regulatory structures, and if customers of the Swiss banking system can still have trust in the sector. If you’re interested in a safe nest egg outside the U.S. or even just exploring your options, you’ll want to hear what Jamie and Ted have to say.

We are proud to announce that Urs Vrijhof-Droese, one of our esteemed Managing Partners, has been elected to the board of the Swiss Registered Investment Advisor Association (SRIAA). This appointment reflects Urs' expertise and commitment to the investment management industry and underscores WHVP's dedication to professional excellence and leadership in serving US clients out of Switzerland.

On this podcast episode, the WHVP team sits down with Jacqueline Ruedin Rüsch of Privilege Ventures to discuss Switzerland's venture capital investment industry. In addition, the podcast will cover how private equity and venture capital investing differ, the start-up scene in Switzerland vs. the U.S., and the Swiss culture of innovation. We hope you enjoy it!

The dominance of the USD in the global economy gives the USA a huge amount of power should another country go against the will of the U.S. or attack an ally of the country. Because of this, whether good or bad, it has caused some countries to view the dominance of the U.S. dollar as a threat to their sovereignty and independence. In this blog, we will look at some of the international movements away from the USD and how they may affect the dollar's value in the long term. Finally, it will conclude with what Americans can do to begin protecting their wealth's value in the face of a depreciating dollar.

Managing Partner Urs Vrijhof-Droese was recently featured in the Miller on the Money article to discuss how the Swiss banking system is set up and how it runs. Shortly after the Fed bailed out the Silicon Valley bank depositors, Reuters reported that Credit Suisse failed: “ZURICH, March 20 (Reuters) – Credit Suisse and UBS could benefit from more than 260 billion Swiss francs ($280 billion) in state and central bank support, a third of the country’s gross domestic product, as part of their merger to buffer Switzerland against global financial turmoil. …. The deal,…involves…a pledge from the Swiss government to absorb up to 9 billion francs in potential losses from the takeover.”

Many people are worried that we are back at the Great Financial Crisis. While we are convinced that history does not repeat itself, it often rhymes. The risks that result out of central banks rising interest rates in light-speed are not new. We believe that the decision of the central banks to raise interest rates has been the right one but that they clearly underestimated the inflation and thus started too late. However, not only was it a misjudgment of inflation rates, it was also a misjudgment that the Modern Monetary Theory could work. That is something we and many others have warned from repeatedly. After more than a decade of ultra-low interest rates, many market participants have forgotten how to behave in an environment of rising interest rates.

On this podcast episode, the WHVP team sits down together to talk about the U.S. bank crisis and the merger between UBS and Credit Suisse. In addition, the podcast will cover the stability of the Swiss banking system and the differences between the U.S. and Swiss banking industries and systems, and what Americans can do to ensure they select the right banks to partner with. We hope you enjoy it!

WHVP's CEO Jamie Vrijhof-Droese sits down with renowned Asset Protection Attorney Blake Harris to discuss what Americans need to know about Swiss Banks and how they can access them through a Swiss independent asset manager. The interview is one that can help Americans start their due diligence in wading into the water of international diversification and capital preservation.

Last Thursday news about the need for a government rescue of Credit Suisse were made public. And over the weekend it was announced that UBS will take over Credit Suisse. As you know, it is important to us to communicate clearly and frequently, this is why we would like to shed some light on what‘s going on. The most important thing right away: WHVP has never used Credit Suisse as a custodian bank and has never recommended the bank. Thus, none of our clients have any relations with Credit Suisse and are not affected by what is going on. Now let‘s dive into the issue a bit more deeply and shed some light on what has been happening.

On Friday, March 10, the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapsed after experiencing a classical bank run. Because of it, we are now confronted with a new collapse of the 16th biggest bank in the U.S... All of us need to understand how this has happened and learn about the banks we use. Further in this blog, we will explore the SVB collapse and the differences between banks in the U.S. and Switzerland. Finally, for individuals with personal wealth in banks, it will be informative about what Swiss banks can offer you amid uncertainty in the U.S. financial situation.

Leading wealth management industry participant, WHVP, has joined the ranks of an elite global group who have been handed the honour of winning a WealthBriefing Award. WHVP were awarded ‘Best Client Communications & Overall Digital Engagement’ and Jamie Vrijhof-Droese of WHVP was awarded ‘Thought Leadership’ and ‘Rising Star Under 40’ at The Third Annual WealthBriefing Swiss EAM Awards 2023.

Since tax season is now upon us, it is important for Americans working with or looking to work with Swiss-registered investment advisors to know the tax considerations for their offshore accounts. A Swiss investment account is a popular choice for individuals looking to diversify their portfolios and protect their assets. Still, American citizens need to be aware of the U.S. tax implications. Swiss banks are required to report certain information about American citizens holding accounts in Switzerland to the IRS annually. Additionally, American citizens must report the existence of their Swiss bank accounts on their U.S. tax returns to avoid significant penalties and fines. This blog will help educate you on what you need to know.

On this episode of the podcast, the WHVP team sits down with special guest Jessica Schaedler, Leading Trust Advisor at Capital Trustees AG, to discuss the proposed bill to the Swiss government on creating a beneficial owner registry. The podcast will cover what changes have been proposed to the government, what may come from such a change and the opinion on how the Swiss population may react to such a bill. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone seeking a better understanding of the potential impact on the financial industry and individuals with Swiss bank accounts. We hope you enjoy it!