Worried About Central Bank Digital Currency? 3 Ways to Protect Yourself
Some years ago, the Federal Reserve toyed with the idea of creating a Central Bank Digital Currency, or CBDC.
Offshore Banking Accounts for Tax Planning
The world feels shakier every day, doesn't it? More Americans are wondering how to protect their money from inflation, political chaos, and economic uncertainty. Many ask us if offshore banking might be part of the answer.
New Anti-Trump Clients of Swiss Banks Driven by Fear
In early April 2025, President Trump unveiled a sweeping set of new tariffs. Ranging from 10% to 50%, they target nearly every country and mark a return to trade protectionism on a massive scale
How to Open a Bank Account in Dubai: A Complete Guide
Clients sometimes ask us for our thoughts on banking in Dubai. Is it worth the hassle? How do you get started? What are the potential pitfalls?
Will the Global Currency Reset Happen in 2025 (Or Ever)?
Clients sometimes ask us for our thoughts on the Global Currency Reset. If? When? How? And what do you need to do to protect against it?
How Do You Protect Against Bank Bail Ins?
It’s a question we’ve gotten a lot, especially since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank this past spring. So how do you protect against bank bail ins? We’ll explore that in today’s piece.
Cayman Islands Bank Accounts: Still Worth It?
When I talk to private clients about offshore bank accounts, two places tend to pop up: Switzerland and the Cayman Islands.
5 Reasons to Have an Offshore Bank Account
An offshore bank account is one of the most traditional ways to start your overseas journey. It's a very useful tool if you plan to invest in another country, buy foreign real estate, or want to move some of your assets out of harm's way here in the US.
Are Offshore Numbered Accounts Still Possible?
Think of offshore banking and you might think of an offshore numbered account. You know, the anonymous place to stash some cash when the bad guys are after you. Ultimate privacy and discretion.
St Kitts and Nevis Bank Accounts: The Complete Guide
We've been helping Americans diversify their assets internationally since 1984. Over the years, we've developed a few favorite places for certain things. Switzerland has long been a favorite for offshore banking, simply because they keep adapting to be able to serve US clients.
The Best Swiss Banks
We’ve long considered Switzerland a good place to bank for the right sort of client. That’s because the best Swiss banks offer a service that is geared towards Americans looking for a conservative wealth preservation strategy.
Are Swiss Bank Accounts Safe?
Are Swiss Banks Safe? Switzerland is one of the most popular places for our private consulting clients to set up an offshore bank account.
A Review: Is Old Glory Bank Safe?
Twice in the past few weeks, clients have asked us about Old Glory Bank. It’s being heavily promoted on media outlets like Fox News.
FedNow: The First Step Toward an American Central Bank Digital Currency
The Debut of FedNow: Central Bank's New Digital Payment System On July 20, 2023, the Federal Reserve, America’s central bank, announced that FedNow, its new system for instant payments, was…
The Impact of CBDC on Banks: Transforming Financial Landscapes
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): The Next Evolution in National Currency One concern some of our clients have is that the government will forcibly convert their assets into a central…
Banking Crisis 2023: Key Failures and Inflation Concerns
On March 8, Silvergate Capital, a major lender to the cryptocurrency industry, announced that it would shut down. Silvergate had only around $11 billion in assets, so it was a relatively small bank. Failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX was one of Silvergate’s largest customers.
A Case of Government Overreach: Canada’s 2022 Crisis
What if the government could freeze your bank account tomorrow, simply because it didn’t agree with your actions? Unfortunately, this is no longer a hypothetical scenario—this is exactly what happened in Canada in 2022. But to understand how we got here, we need to look at the evolution of money.
The True Cost: Moral Hazard in Government Bailouts
As the COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the global economy, Congress is preparing a $1 trillion bailout package. But will this solve the problem or simply fuel the next corporate crisis?
Bank Account Closures and Protecting Your Financial Freedom
In the last few years, banks have been falling over themselves to get rid of “undesirable” customers. Basically, if your bank isn’t making enough profit servicing your account, it will close it.
Wells Fargo Scandal 2019: Too Big to Jail, Too Rich to Care
Call me crass, but I wasn’t shocked to learn last week that Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) had agreed to pay a $575 million fine to settle claims by all 50 states related to bogus account openings....
Reasons NOT to Keep Your Cash in the Bank
It’s bad enough depositing your money into a bank account and earning essentially zero interest on it, or in some countries, having a negative interest rate.
Swiss Banking Secrecy for Americans: Myth or Reality
From 2006–2008, Falciani worked in HSBC’s information technology department. While there, he secretly downloaded the account details of more than 100,000 HSBC clients.
Austria: Anonymous Storage and The World’s Safest Bank
I just finished a week’s visit to Vienna, where I lived from 2003-2005 while earning a LL.M (Master of Laws) in international tax law at a local university.
Bank Secrecy Act: The Surveillance of Everyday Transactions
Do you distrust the banking system? Prefer to do business in cash? Complain about the encroachment of Big Brother into every facet of your life?
Worldwide Bank Bail-Ins Are Coming: What You Need to Know
In case you missed the announcement, Cyprus-style bail-ins are coming to a bank near you. On November 16, leaders of the G20 Group of Nations – the 20 largest economies – made an important decision.
Anti-Smurfing Statute and Structuring
Indulge yourself for a moment and imagine you're back in 1986. You’re listening to “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer on the radio and on your way to the movie theater to watch Aliens, starring Sigourney Weaver.
De-Risking and Political Incorrectness in Banking
Recently, The Economist reported that Chase Bank closed the accounts of hundreds of porn stars. Among them was blond bombshell Teagan Presley, star of Just Over 18 #10 and more than 70 other porn videos.
Surviving the Next Banking Crisis: Strategies for Protecting Your Money
What’s the most hazardous financial activity that you can engage in? It’s not investing in penny stocks. It’s not buying foreign currencies. It’s not even playing futures and options, as risky as they may be.
How Dodd-Frank and FATCA Impact Global Investment Choices
Foreign banks, brokers, and trust companies are falling head over heels in their rush to get rid of as many U.S. clients as possible.