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International asset protection changed

Expert cross border wealth management and international asset protection for US citizens and expats.

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Kaiser Partner – WealthBriefing Swiss Awards 2025, Highly Commended International Solution

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Discretionary Portfolio Management

Designed for clients who want their assets holistically managed by the investment manager, but who do not wish to be involved in their management

Portfolio Advisory

The portfolio advisory service is designed for clients who would like their account to be holistically managed but still wish to be involved in every investment decision.

Hold Only

The hold-only service is for clients who do not want discretionary portfolio management or advisory. It applies only to accounts holding cash, precious metals, and commodities, with no securities included. No advisory services or risk monitoring are provided. Clients are solely responsible for asset allocation and all investment decisions.

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You have questions about how we can support you with your portfolio, investment strategy or asset allocation?

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International asset protection starts with risk

From an investment perspective, international asset protection begins with identifying the risks within a portfolio. An investor may have substantial exposure to one company, market, currency, or asset class. International portfolios can add further considerations, particularly when assets are held with financial institutions outside the United States or investments provide exposure to several regions. The objective is not to eliminate investment risk. Risk is an inherent part of investing. Instead, portfolio management can help identify where risks are concentrated and determine whether the resulting exposures remain consistent with the investor's objectives, investment horizon, liquidity requirements, and risk tolerance. For U.S. persons investing internationally, the suitability of individual investments also requires specific consideration.

Diversification in international asset protection

Diversification is one component when it comes to protecting assets within an investment portfolio. This can include diversification across asset classes, markets, sectors, and currencies. International diversification may reduce dependence on a single market, but the appropriate allocation will depend on the individual investor rather than a predetermined geographic formula. Currency exposure provides a useful example. An internationally invested portfolio may contain assets denominated in U.S. dollars, Swiss francs, euros, or other currencies. These exposures can influence both portfolio risk and returns and should therefore be considered as part of the overall asset allocation. The relevant question in international asset protection, therefore, is not simply how many markets or currencies a portfolio contains, but what role each exposure serves within the investment strategy.

International asset protection entered the portfolio

Where financial assets are held is another consideration. Custody and investment management are separate functions. A custodian bank holds assets, settles transactions, and provides account reporting, while an independent investment advisor can be responsible for developing or implementing the portfolio strategy. For investors considering international asset protection, this separation provides a framework in which custody and investment management can be selected independently. Kaiser Partner Financial Advisors Ltd. is a Zurich-based, SEC-registered investment advisor focused on U.S. persons. Our firm works with specialist custodian banks in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and follows an open-architecture approach without proprietary investment products.

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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone. Discuss your needs with one of our experts. We are happy to assist you personally.

US persons and international asset protection

International investment opportunities need to be considered differently when the investor is a U.S. person. Certain investment products widely available outside the United States may have U.S. tax or reporting implications. Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) rules are one relevant consideration when assessing some non-U.S. investments. This makes the definition of the investable universe an important part of international asset protection for American investors. Portfolio construction can take relevant U.S. tax and regulatory considerations into account alongside conventional factors such as expected risk, diversification, liquidity, and investment horizon. The purpose is not to provide tax advice through the investment mandate but to consider these factors when selecting and managing investments for U.S. persons.

International asset review

Portfolio risks change over time even when the investor makes few transactions. Market movements can increase the weight of particular holdings, currency exposures can shift, and an allocation that was appropriate when established may require reassessment later. Regular portfolio reviews can therefore form part of international asset protection from an investment-management perspective. The level of portfolio management can also differ between investors. Kaiser Partner Financial Advisors Ltd. provides Discretionary Portfolio Management, Portfolio Advisory, and Hold Only relationships, allowing clients to select the level of involvement appropriate to their requirements. Across these different mandates, international asset protection remains focused on the investment portfolio: understanding risk, maintaining an appropriate allocation, considering custody arrangements, and selecting investments with the particular requirements of U.S. persons in mind. Please contact us if you would like to learn more.