Electronic Bookshelf/Electronic Bookshelf.iso/money/swiss/fun.txt

Text File | 1994-07-17 | 14KB | 256 lines

             HOW TO OPEN A TAX-FREE SWISS MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT

               A new brand new product, BankSwiss, is an
          attractive alternative to the conventional Swiss
          savings account.  Interest rates are higher and
          earnings are free of the 35% Swiss withholding tax.
          Earnings accumulate tax free since, technically, your
          capital is pooled into liquidity funds (money market
          funds).  Being linked directly to short-term money
          market rates, higher yields can be achieved.
               You can add funds to BankSwiss at your discretion,
          make withdrawals when required -- even issue payment
          instructions without any restrictions.
               The minimum to open a BankSwiss account is U.S.
          $10,000 or the equivalent in another currency.  With a
          BankSwiss account of U.S. $50,000 or more (or
          equivalent in another currency) you may obtain an
          international credit card.  For your purchases or for
          your cash withdrawals via ATM (Automatic Teller
          Machine), you always have easy access to your funds.
          Any payments or withdrawals are simply charged to your
          BankSwiss account.
               For the investor wishing to establish a Swiss bank
          base as a precaution for the future, or springboard for
          other international investments, BANKSWISS is the
          lucrative choice.

          Available in 4 major currencies

               Traditionally, Switzerland has a global
          orientation and it comes as no surprise that you can
          find the world's most flexible and internationally-
          oriented investments in this country.  BankSwiss is no
          exception.  In order to accommodate the growing number
          of international clients, BankSwiss is available in 4
          major currencies:  Swiss francs (SFR), Deutsche Marks
          (DEM), U.S. dollars (U.S.$), and European Currency Unit
          (ECU).  You can open your BankSwiss in any or several
          of these currencies at your discretion and, in
          addition, you can switch the denomination of your
          BankSwiss at any time, investing in the currency you
          deem most favorable.

          BankSwiss in Swiss francs:

               For the investor seeking a long-term store of
          value for his Swiss "nest-egg", we recommend that
          BankSwiss be held in Swiss francs.  The Swiss franc is
          the world's premier currency -- long-term and worth its
          weight in gold.  Calculated at market value,
          Switzerland's gold reserves equal more than 200% of all
          Swiss francs in circulation.  The Swiss franc has
          retained more of its purchasing power than any other
          currency over the years.  Since the present system of
          "floating" exchange rates was introduced in 1973, the
          Swiss franc has appreciated in terms of every major
          currency in the world.  For example, from year-end 1969
          when exchange rates were still fixed by the "Bretton
          Woods" system, through two decades of freely floating
          exchange rates until year-end 1992, the exchange value
          of the Swiss franc against the U.S. dollar tripled in
          value.  Thus, an American holding francs for that
          period would have achieved a gain that offset nearly
          three-fourths of the dollar's gain that offset nearly
          three-fourths of the dollar's loss of purchasing power,
          even before taking into account any acquired interest
          on his Swiss franc balances.
               In the end, the historical strength of the Swiss
          franc against the dollar stems primarily from the Swiss
          peoples' demonstrated desire and ability to follow
          relatively sound policies, and to deviate from these
          only reluctantly and temporarily.  In contrast, U.S.
          and other foreign policy makers have shown growing
          appetite for policies that promote inflation.  Until we
          see evidence that these fundamentally different
          approaches have changed, we expect that in the long run
          the Swiss franc will appreciate further, although this
          trend may continue to be interrupted by short-term
          reversals.
               While the Swiss franc is certainly the
          international investor's first choice due to its long-
          term strength against all other currencies, short-term
          gains may be achieved in one of the other available
          currencies.  Currency exchange rates fluctuate from day
          to day. In many cases, however, a strong trend in a
          particular currency becomes visible, and for the more
          active investor, the currency switch option can be used
          to further optimize return.  Should a clear trend
          appear in any of the available currencies, you simply
          instruct the bank to change the denomination of your
          account.  Whereas BankSwiss is not a spot market
          foreign exchange account, it gives you the opportunity
          to profit, at your discretion, from strong market
          trends if an when they appear.

          Outlook for the Deutsche Mark (DEM):

               The Deutsche Mark is the power horse of the
          European Community's economy.  The DEM offers a
          slightly higher interest rate than the Swiss franc and
          historically has topped the U.S. dollar as well --
          albeit not to the same degree as the Swiss franc.  In
          turn, this diminishes the minimal interest rate
          advantage the DEM has over the Swiss franc.  Therefore,
          the reasoning behind a German mark denominated account
          would be a belief in the DEM's potential strength
          within Europe and a long-term increase in its value.
          However, it would be wise to consider the consequences
          the enormous costs of the East-West reunification
          process is having on the DEM.  While Germany is not
          losing its dominant position within Europe, the effects
          may cause the DEM to lose some of its attractiveness.

          Outlook for the U.S. dollar (U.S.$):

               The U.S. dollar is still the world's reserve
          currency although its dominance has substantially waned
          since the mid 1970's.  Its share of foreign exchange
          reserves has fallen from 80% to 52%; the number of
          countries that peg their currencies to the dollar has
          come down by half, to 24.  Even so, some 50% of all
          private-sector wealth held in foreign currencies as
          bank deposits and securities is still in U.S. dollars!
          As a reserve currency, the dollar is supposed to be a
          reliable store of value, yet successive American
          governments have failed to fulfil this role.  Until the
          early 1980s, America continued to boast the largest net
          foreign assets in the world.  A decade of massive
          current account deficits however, has turned American
          into the world's largest debtor.  As such, the
          government may be tempted to allow inflation to nibble
          away at the real value of its debt and use devaluation
          to reduce its external deficit.  Hardly desirable
          properties for a reserve currency.

          Outlook for the European Currency Unit (ECU):

               The European Community's total GDP is larger than
          America's.  It is a net foreign creditor and the
          world's biggest exporter.  It will be home to the
          world's largest unified financial market.  Today, the
          ECU is going thorough a stage of "growing pains: and
          further turmoil would not be surprising.  The higher
          interest rate the ECU offers may be tempting for
          investors expecting a growing European role in world
          economics.

               Whichever currency you choose, remember, higher
          interest rates are always accompanied by higher risk.
          Taking all factors into consideration, it is hard to
          beat the traditional strength and security of
          Switzerland and the Swiss franc.

          Optional international investment opportunities

               Diversifying assets across a spectrum of different
          types of investments is a well-known and long-practiced
          strategy.  Today private investors around the world are
          increasingly demanding international diversification in
          order to preserve wealth, optimize gains and minimize
          risk.
               BankSwiss also may serve as a springboard for
          global investment opportunities and is the best place
          to start or broaden your international investment
          strategy.
               With BankSwiss you can switch your investment into
          global funds, or going a step further, you can invest
          your capital in any other specific investment you
          choose.  For example, should the time be right for
          stocks, you can purchase them with BankSwiss or should
          you be interested in precious metals, you can invest in
          them as well.  Should you sell your stocks or precious
          metals, BankSwiss serves as a "parking lot" -- storing
          liquidity safely and profitably for possible future
          investment opportunities.  Your funds won't lie
          stagnant but will continue to earn interest yet remain
          immediately available to you at all times.  BankSwiss
          is an investment vehicle with almost boundless
          investment opportunities -- a single account for all
          seasons.
               You will receive semi-annual BankSwiss account
          statements including an investment advisory report,
          produced by Swiss banking professionals.  This
          information will assist you to structure your global
          asset allocation should you decide to take BankSwiss a
          step further, namely to enhance the profit potential by
          investing in global, specialized funds or securities.

          Unmatched safety
               BankSwiss is a product of UeberseeBank, a mid-
          sized Swiss investment bank in the heart of Zurich's
          banking district.  Established in 1965, UeberseeBank
          specializes in securities accounts management and
          investment counselling for an international clientele
          with over 14,000 clients and client assets of over 4
          billion Swiss francs under management.  Renowned for
          its innovative investment accounts for foreign
          investors, UeberseeBank takes pride in its exemplary
          customer service.
               UeberseeBank is a 100% subsidiary of the American
          International Group (AIG), a AAA-rated international
          insurance group with headquarters in New York.  AIG has
          over 35,000 employees in more than 130 countries
          worldwide.

          Fees are clear cut and tightly calculated

               With many other bank accounts, your earnings are
          literally gobbled up by all forms of charges and fees.
          Not so with BankSwiss.  A one-time premium is deducted
          from the amount invested when opening your account and
          a low annual account running fee is charged as follows:
     _________________________________________________________________
     Amount of                Account Opening     Annual Account
     Investment               Costs               Running Fee
     (in Swiss                (in % of            (in % of relevant
     francs)                  total               portion of average
                              payment             invested capital)
     _________________________________________________________________

     Up to         199,999         2.00                0.4
       200,000 -   499,999         1.50                0.4
       500,000 -   999,999         1.00                0.3
     1,000,000 - 1,499,999         0.50                0.2
     1,500,000 - 4,999,999         0.50                0.1
     5,000,000 and more            0.25                0.1
     _________________________________________________________________

               Otherwise, BankSwiss runs expense-free, no other
          costs will be deducted from your account and all currency
          switches are free of charge.
               Should you decide to make use of other investment
          options and invest in global funds or in specific
          investments, standard banking fees are applicable, but
          the account opening fee above will be deducted from the
          standard banking fees where applicable.  Credit cards are
          available at a modest annual fee.
               For more information on BankSwiss, write to:
                    JML Swiss Investment Counsellors, Dept. 212
                    Germaniastassee 55
                    8033 Zurich, Switzerland

               JML will submit it to UeberseeBank and supervise the
          opening of your account.  Upon receipt of your application
          form and deposit, UeberseeBank will confirm the opening of
          your BankSwiss in writing.  Thereafter, you will bi-annually
          receive a detailed statement of account and investment
          report.