The expertise of Swiss banks and Swiss trust companies in asset management is famous throughout the world. Its clients include individuals as well as private and corporate clients from all different parts of the world. Switzerland provides the same exceptional level of customers service, discretion and excellence to all customers, be they American or global.

Swiss Trust Company Privacy Benefits

There is no doubt that the highly elevated respect for privacy discretion and high level of customer service shown by Swiss banks have contributed greatly to the development and prosperity of the Swiss financial sector. Today asset managers build and capitalize on its success by offering a wide range of financial solutions to their customers. Some of the most desired management techniques include involvement and utilization of a renowned and sophisticated financial business vehicle (such as a Swiss trust company).

Swiss Trust Company Tax Benefits

Swiss openness to the world has helped to establish a financial micro-climate of fidelity, privacy and trust which benefits both international clients and their portfolios and local managers and their investment strategies. Swiss managers have access to virtually unlimited types of assets, including equities, fixed income, commodities, foreign exchange, etc. traded on all world major exchanges including all of the EU indices. What amplifies this already quite astounding setup is the fact that all investments whether local or international benefit from exemption on capital taxation – Switzerland does not recognize the so-called capital gains tax. Holders of foreign passports whether individuals or owners of local structures such as Swiss trust companies, foundations, etc. benefit from full tax exemption from all gains on investments.

Swiss banks offer the trading sector a wide range of financial instruments: warranties, loans, pre- and post-financing or coverage of ‘country risks’, etc. These services are backed by a reliable international network, privileged relations with major financial institutions, easy access to all major markets and cash management. The Swiss labor force is highly qualified in international trade with a know-how that has become a much appreciated asset. Major international trading and financial companies have their headquarters here where the banking institutions familiar with their sector or activity can offer them a full range of financial services.

It is a well known fact that seasoned Swiss trust companies (for instance, FFT offers some incorporated as early as 1920s-1930s) command premium prices among enterprising business owners seeking to secure a vehicle for their investment needs. What is not often understood, however, is exactly why the value of a Swiss trust company increases with age. The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between the age of the entity and the benefits associated with it, and to illustrate exactly why a seasoned Swiss trust company is such an attractive proposition for an investor.

Defining a Seasoned Swiss Trust Company

A seasoned Swiss trust company – also referred to as a vintage Swiss trust company – is generally defined as anything incorporated before 1960s. To some extent, this criterion is somewhat arbitrary; however, the further back in time one goes, the more it is to find Swiss trust companies. Rarity, then, is but one of the many reasons why the value of a Swiss trust company increases with age – after all, it goes without saying that preciously few dormant Swiss trusts are available now that were incorporated in the 1920s.

Listing a Seasoned Swiss Trust Company

In general, a newly incorporated Swiss trust company cannot be listed on the stock exchange. In fact, to be eligible for listing in Frankfurt, a Swiss trust company needs to be 25+ years of age (which, at the time of writing, means that it must have been incorporated before 1985). With that said, the older the Swiss company in question is, the more credibility and respect it will command with investors, traders, stock speculators and analysts. Its sheer age enables a seasoned Swiss trust company to present a more credible image to the outside world.

Credibility of a Seasoned Swiss Trust Company

In many ways, credibility is the name of the game when it comes to Swiss trust company acquisitions. While it is, theoretically, possible to acquire a trust company dating back from 2000, it will carry little weight in the eyes of financial institutions, local authorities, or prospective business partners. A Swiss company that has been around the block for only a few years will not inspire confidence with outside parties; quite the contrary, unexpected transactions with such an entity may give rise to undue suspicions on behalf of local authorities. On the other hand, a seasoned Swiss trust company leverages its age and the Swiss image of reliability and security to secure a stronger negotiating position with financial institutions and local authorities. It can often help you get better deals and attract less scrutiny, simply because your Swiss trust company is perceived to have been founded nearly a hundred years ago.

Seasoned Swiss Trust Company – A Solid Investment

Whatever your intentions may be, a seasoned Swiss trust company will always represent a solid and reliable solution for your business needs. Whether an investment vehicle or a flagship solution, a seasoned Swiss trust company instantly boosts your credibility with local governments, financial institutions and business partners while delivering unmatched anonymity, discretion and confidence.

The benefits of a Swiss trust company are often well understood by enterprising business owners. From tax benefits and anonymity to increased credibility with governments and financial institutions, a seasoned Swiss trust company is a great investment for any entity looking to conduct their operations with flexibility and discretion.

However, while the benefits of a Swiss trust company are usually well known, the benefits of Switzerland are not. To be sure, Switzerland certainly has the image of stability (and, let us be fair, banking secrecy) known throughout the world; this stereotype aside, however, very little is actually known about the specific features that makes Switzerland such an attractive investment destination. The purpose of this post is to outline these features and highlight the most salient traits of the country, and how they relate to purchasing and managing a Swiss trust company.

Swiss Trust Company – A Tradition of Stability and Sovereignty

Switzerland is one of the world’s most stable economies – and has maintained this stability for centuries. The country enjoys a low rate of inflation. The Swiss franc is one of the strongest currencies in the world. Switzerland has chosen not to join the European Union, primarily because to do so would diminish its sovereignty and make it subject to EU laws and regulations. Until 2002, Switzerland was not even a member of the United Nations. This means that a seasoned Swiss trust company is a lot more than simply an investment vehicle – of its very nature, it represents the stability, sovereignty and prestige typically associated with Switzerland and its businesses.

Swiss Trust Company – Unrivaled Privacy

The Swiss government views the right to privacy as a fundamental principle that should be protected by all democratic countries (which, incidentally, is one of the reasons why a Swiss trust company conveys such an unparalleled degree of anonymity upon its owner and makes asset preservation and protection so much simpler). The Federal Banking Commission, an independent agency of the Swiss government within the Federal Department of Finance, supervises most banking-related activities as well as securities markets and investment funds.

Swiss Trust Company – Favorable Banking Laws

In 1934, the Swiss Parliament passed the Banking Law, which codified the rules of secrecy and criminalizes violation of it. Swiss banking secrecy protects private banking information; the protections afforded under Swiss law are similar to confidentiality protections between doctors and patients or lawyers and their clients. Pressure on Switzerland has been applied by several countries and international organizations attempting to alter the Swiss privacy policy. It has steadfastly resisted, and, in doing so, ensured that owners of Swiss trust companies – especially seasoned ones – retain their ability to conduct their affairs with full discretion and without undue interference from third parties.

Swiss Trust Company – Excellence in Finance

Building on its centuries of sophisticated banking expertise, Switzerland offers all the services that private high net worth individuals as well as corporate or institutional clients may need in the field of international law, accountancy, asset protection and preservation, offshore Swiss trust companies, auditing, consultancy, insurance, reinsurance, inspection and arbitration. Switzerland is the birthplace of private banking and the cradle of the international asset management sector. Several hundred banks, including some five dozen of foreign owned institutions are actively in business and headquartered in Switzerland. Industry specialists estimate that Switzerland currently holds more than CHF 3,000 Billion in assets under management, out of which some 40% are being directly or indirectly controlled from Geneva. Needless to say, a seasoned Swiss trust company remains one of the primary ways of holding and managing these assets.

Swiss Trust Company – The Hub of the World

Major multinational companies as well as public authorities, including some of world’s major NGO’s; the UN, WTO, WHO, just to mention a few, are headquartered in Switzerland and commonly depend on the local banks to handle their cash management and all or part of their pension fund assets. These customers, who are very demanding as to the quality of service, reliability and administrative processing, are also extremely sensitive when it comes to the cost of such operations. Thus Switzerland is obliged to remain very competitive and is able to achieve its competitive advantage by building on its competence, banking tradition, financial network and most of all on its flawless legacy of the past perpetuated through centuries until present day. Investing into a seasoned Swiss trust company avails you, the owner, of the very same prestige.

Dear visitor,

If you are reading these lines, then it means you have found your way to First Fidelity Trust’s latest attempt to reach out to its clients and stakeholders worldwide through its very own blog.

As of the time of writing, the blog is a work in progress; efforts are ongoing to identify and implement a sleek new design that reflects our professional image and the nature of the business we operate in. In short, the current look – and, even more importantly, the current content – is not final, and will be updated in the coming weeks.

In the meantime – as, quite frankly, there isn’t much new stuff you can find here – we encourage you to check our main website at http://www.FidelityTrust.ch for more information about the Swiss trust company acquisition and incorporation service we provide to international clients.

Kind Regards,

Conrad