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!

WHVP, an SEC-registered investment advisor based out of Zurich Switzerland, received its FINMA license to continue operating as an asset manager in Switzerland. This achievment is a milestone in the company's 30 year history.

In this blog post, we'll explore the earliest offshore banking regulations from the 1930s to recent developments like the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and new rules for anti-money laundering and sanctions against certain countries. Join us on a journey through history and discover the changing landscape of offshore banking regulations for Americans.

As we navigate through uncertain times, one phrase that has stood the test of time is "never fight the Fed". This adage is a reminder that the Federal Reserve holds significant power over the direction of the economy and the markets. Its decisions can have a ripple effect across industries, asset classes, and global markets. Understanding the Fed's role and its impact on the economy and markets is crucial for investors and traders alike. Nevertheless, it seems like in 2023 investors have completely thrown this saying out the window. Investors have been optimistic this year despite the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates, believing that the rate-raising cycle may be over and we’re in for a soft-landing. The Nasdaq stock market is up nearly 15% this year, after posting its best January since 2001. While some believe that this is the beginning of a new bull market, we are of the opinion that this is just another bear market rally and that we will continue to experience ongoing market volatility for the time being.

Understanding the legal and regulatory environment surrounding offshore investing, including the reporting requirements and potential benefits, is essential. This week's blog is a summary guide to help Americans understand the legal framework and reporting requirements of offshore investment accounts. It will also discuss the main reasons to invest offshore as an American. Investing offshore can be a valuable part of a diversified investment strategy when building a portfolio fit for the global economic environment. It is our goal to inform you of all the considerations you need to consider when moving outside your domestic markets when establishing an offshore investment account.

On this episode of the podcast, the WHVP team sits down to discuss going beyond performance in terms of client care. The podcast will cover a bit of the Swiss perspective of the World Economic Forum and then will jump into the team discussing the importance of client communication and care. We hope you enjoy it.

Diversification is a topic that often comes up when investing. However, for Americans attaining true portfolio diversification can take time and effort. However, some good options are available to Americans when looking to invest outside of the U.S. investment market, dollar, and economy. This blog will cover the challenges Americans face in building a truly diversified portfolio and what they can do to overcome them.

January is the time to look ahead to the year. Sadly, way too much depends on the Federal Reserve and world central banks. Michael Howell writes: “It has been a bleak year for many investors. Global investors have lost $23tn of wealth…so far in 2022. …. That is equivalent to 22 percent of global gross domestic product” When bureaucrats create money out of thin air, they create a mess. Alasdair Macleod tells us: “Monetary policymakers face an acute dilemma: do they prioritize inflation of prices by raising interest rates, or do they lean towards yet more monetary stimulation to ensure that financial markets stabilize, their economies do not suffer a recession, and government finances are not driven into crisis? …. The inconvenient truth is that policies of monetary stimulation invariably end with the impoverishment of everyone.”

Thinking about moving investments offshore is a big decision. It takes time and effort to conduct the due diligence needed to find the right partner and set up an offshore investment account. However, the strategic move can offer many positive qualities to an investment portfolio. So, is it worth making a move for the opportunities, risk mitigation, time, and effort to gain the benefits of capital preservation, risk mitigation, asset protection, and true diversification?

We hope you had a wonderful start to 2023! The beginning of a new year is always a great opportunity to look ahead and share our assessment of what to expect in the next twelve months. Before we do that, however, we would like to look back with a quick look at the most meaningful charts of 2022.

We would like to take the opportunity to reflect on an eventful year for WHVP and tell you about some of the things we are excited about. We are looking forward to starting the next chapter in 2023 and are grateful that you are all part of our journey.