Secrets of Swiss Banking: An Owner's Manual to Quietly Building a Fortune [Hardcover]

Hoyt Barber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2008

In Secrets of Swiss Banking, offshore financial specialist Hoyt Barber shows how to protect your hard-earned assets by safely and legally moving your money into trusted Swiss financial institutions. Along with timely banking advice and solid investment insights, Barber provides authoritative information on a variety of Swiss banking-related issues—from the basics of opening an account to the nuances of numerous Swiss banking and investment strategies. He also details Swiss banking policies and regulations along with U.S. tax and reporting requirements.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Switzerland and the subject of Swiss banking have evolved over the past few decades, but the legendary ability of Swiss banks to attract incredible sums of money from all over the globe has only increased over time, strengthening this little country's position in the world. Why? Because Switzerland has remained independent in the face of global geo-politics, including pressures from the European Union to join them and pressures from the United States to abolish their Banking Secrecy Act. Switzerland intends to remain free from such insanity and to hold its own in the face of outside demands. This book, then, is not only about Switzerland and Swiss banking, but it is also about a bigger picture of where Switzerland stands today within the current context of world events—and how thisunique country can avail itself to you for your benefit.

Written by a renowned specialist in tax havens and offshore banking, Secrets of Swiss Banking reveals a way for you to safely and legally hide your money and protect your assets, all the while quietly building your retire-ment funds and personal fortune without the need for complicated financial planning. Hoyt Barber provides up-to-the-minute, authorita-tive information for both those who are new to the subject and those who are more expe-rienced and seek an update of the most current information, approaches, and ideas. Allreaders will advance their understanding to a new level and be in a better position to take advantage of current opportunities and future prospects as well as avoid potential problems. Barber skillfully explains the different types of Swiss bank accounts, how to select a bank, and how to invest in stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments through your Swiss bank. He details Swiss banking policies and regulations along with U.S. tax and reporting requirements. And he even outlines the best alternatives to Switzerland.

For anyone interested in protecting their assets and safely securing their financial future,Secrets of Swiss Banking provides the advice they need to succeed.

From the Back Cover

Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy the Benefits ofSwiss Banking

Take action to secure your financial freedom and future now! Offshore financial specialist Hoyt Barber shows how to protect your hard-earned assets by safely and legally moving your money into trusted Swiss financial institutions.

Along with timely banking advice and solid investment insights, Barber provides authoritative information on a variety of Swiss banking-related issues—from the basics of opening an account to the nuances of numerous Swiss banking and investment strategies. He includes guidance on foreign currency accounts, trust account deposits, securities trading, investment funds, futures and commodities trading, precious metal investments, margin accounts, custody service, a personal Swiss safe deposit box, and a myriad of Swiss investment alternatives that provide iron-clad asset protection—in addition to a few valuable but little-known Swiss banking strategies.

His solid hands-on advice and investment ideas show how to quietly build your personal fortune and plan financially for retirement—out of the reach of the government, creditors, nasty bosses, vindictivespouses, or worse—through the Swiss banking system.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470136715
• ISBN-13: 978-0470136713
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good resource but ignore the paranoia, March 22, 2008

By 

Herb Hunter (Baghdad) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets of Swiss Banking: An Owner's Manual to Quietly Building a Fortune (Hardcover)

If you want a concise resource about Swiss (and other off shore) banking, then this is a good - no, make that great - resource from a reputable publisher. The author covers not only Swiss banks, but other top countries world wide known for advantageous bank laws for uncertain times.

Though some automatically think of tax evasion when the subject of Swiss banking arises, the perfectly legal possibility of converting your savings into Swiss Francs could be a good hedge against a falling dollar. The book is marketed to US and Canadian audiences, so legally some of the suggestions might mean different things to different people. Therefore, do not act on his word without checking your tax status with a knowledgeable source.

The only negative would be the paranoia in the early part of the book, such as on p26 where the author suggests that the North American Union might be brought about with the aid of a "conveniently timed terrorist attack." This on its face is paranoid, but if it's meant to suggest that the terrorist attacks of 9-11 were somehow planned, then that makes it flat out stupid as well. Therein lies the problem with any book that even approaches this subject: even without such outlandish claims, the mere discussion of fiscal policy as it relates to world events will invariably offend the politics of many readers. At that point, one needs to put aside the political baggage and get past the politics and pay attention to the strategy for preserving wealth.

Even if the author truly believes in conspiracy theories (or if he only wants to cater to the tin foil hat wearing crowd), it doesn't take away from the value throughout the book. It's an uncommonly good find among personal finance books.

EDIT: Much has changed since this book was written and since I wrote this review. The US Government did the biggest shake down ever of all the suspected sanctuaries. Though the Swiss eventually told them to back off, there were substantial changes agreed to. It's embarrassing as an American, but financially we're the point where Uncle Sam is desperately looking for quarters in the sofa cushions to pay for social security, never mind all the idiotic new spending coming down the pike.

I know of no current book with the latest changes incorporated, but I haven't looked lately. In any event, beware - things are getting ugly out there.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent insider's treatment of the topic, and more..., March 24, 2008

By 

S. George Ltd - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of Swiss Banking: An Owner's Manual to Quietly Building a Fortune (Hardcover)

This well-written work is the only book on this topic that I have been able to find in years, and, thankfully is a worthy successor to Harry Browne's landmark work, "The Complete Guide to Swiss Banks," which was published in 1976. Of course since then, times have changed, and Hoyt Barber's book is up-to-the-minute. It explores some solid investment options available to North Americans in Switzerland and other venues, including the broader picture of foreign currencies, precious metals, economics, estate planning, asset protection, and secure offshore investments.

This is a solid financial work, but also offers readable and entertaining commentary on the times.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good book with a caveat, October 27, 2008

By 

Surprise! - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secrets of Swiss Banking: An Owner's Manual to Quietly Building a Fortune (Hardcover)

This book should certainly tell you all you need to know about Swiss banking and investments - now if he had only kept his endless political biases to himself I would have added a star. It would also be wise to check online for intermediaries who can help. CAUTION: Some charge a fee, but not all. Choose the latter!