In this episode of Swiss Money Secrets, WHVP’s Jess Roberson, Jamie Vrijhof-Droese, and Urs Vrijhof-Droese come together to sit down and answer some of the most common questions we hear about Swiss banking for Americans. From the impact of FATCA to the real advantages of opening an account overseas, we break down what’s possible today and what clients can expect when considering Switzerland as part of their financial strategy.
We walk through the practical side of compliance and onboarding, explaining the documents required, how long the process usually takes, and how Swiss accounts differ from those in the U.S. Our team also discusses account structure, including options for holding multiple currencies, precious metals, and even the possibilities around crypto or IRAs.
To round things out, we share our personal perspectives on why we enjoy this line of work, the value of building relationships in a boutique setting, and whether privacy still exists in today’s banking world. If you’ve ever wondered how Swiss banking works for Americans, this conversation offers a clear and candid look behind the scenes.
00:00 Intro
00:53 Knabenschiessen
04:20 Do Swiss banks still take Americans, or has FATCA basically shut that door for us?
06:30 Why choose Swiss banking today? What’s the real benefit?
08:25 How do you determine which bank is the right one for me?
11:33 Do I have to travel to Switzerland to open an account?
13:01 What does FATCA really mean for Americans… what changes in their day-to-day compared to a normal U.S. account?
14:20 Do I need a passport, or can I do it with a driver’s license?
14:50 What documents are required to do this?
14:42 How long does the process take?
19:15 Can I actually hold more than just dollars in there?
21:00 Can I hold cryptocurrencies in my account?
22:16 Is it possible to send IRAs overseas?
24:10 Who makes the investment decisions?
28:25 Are the fees for Americans higher? I mean, do I pay a kind of ‘FATCA penalty’ just for being a U.S. citizen?
32:30 If I wanted to send money in or out of the account, would it raise red flags?
33:55 How do I access my money? Partially or fully?
37:25 Is there an equivalent to the FDIC?
38:30 How did you end up in this line of business?
42:30 How is working with a small company different than working with a large company?
46:07 Outro
Contact WHVP:
Website: https://whvp.ch/
Email: info@whvp.ch
Telephone: +41 44 315 77 77
Schedule a Meeting: https://whvp.ch/get-started
About WHVP:
WHVP is not just another asset manager. We are an independent firm specializing in managing the funds of private clients. Registered with the SEC in the U.S. and located in Zurich, Switzerland, we are associated with several first-class private banks in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which serve as custodian banks for our clients' accounts. Our asset management principles are rooted in conservative, long-term-oriented capital preservation strategies. We prioritize personalized service, crafting portfolios that are shielded against U.S. Dollar depreciation while leveraging overseas investment opportunities.
Disclaimer: All posts and publications are for your information only and are not intended as an offer, promotion, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument or perform any other financial transactions. All information and opinions expressed in posts and publications reflect our current views as of the date of the publication and may be liable to change without notice.