Trusts, companies & alternative
cost-efficient, private structures
As part of the strategic plans for clients’ global wealth structuring, privacy & tax efficiency
Different strategies and various types of entity (trusts, companies, partnerships, foundations, private funds, life insurance, captive insurance companies, charitable entities, private pension plans etc.), spread across different jurisdictions, can be used very effectively to structure and protect our clients’ families and business assets.
The design & implementation of a structure needs to be carefully crafted and coordinated, to include the best and most stable jurisdictions, the right degree of family control, the minimization of tax, reporting and other exposures and the maximization of security and confidentiality for all cross-border holdings and transactions.

Holding & operating companies, corporate treasury & FX entities, special purpose vehicles, partnerships, branches, ownership of life insurance policies
One of our long-established areas of expertise, as both a family and via our banking group, is the highly effective use of trusts (for mainly common law jurisdictions) and of foundations (for civil law jurisdictions). Such entities can be adapted closely to suit the chosen ownership options for ultimate holding vehicles at the top of a family’s asset holding structure. Other effective holding vehicles may include life insurance (known as “private placement life insurance” PPLI), private funds and a variety of structures for business operations (dependent on a case by case analysis of jurisdiction and tax issues).

Trusts, foundations & succession planning

Choice of company jurisdiction and type of holding entity may include cost-effective and confidential Swiss entities
As our centre of corporate operations is in Switzerland, we pride ourselves on offering highly advantageous, low-cost Swiss structures, where effective tax rates are low and levels of confidentiality and stability for shareholders are the best available (including for tax exempt pension plans – see section IV below). The choice of jurisdiction, however, will always be a decision based on specific circumstances and activities, as well as expert tax and legal advice. Often a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be the most appropriate entity and we are well experienced in setting these up.

Family offices – private trust companies (‘PTCs’) – purpose trusts – private & philanthropic foundations
