Swiss Regulators Forcing UBS to Increase Capital by USD 26 Billion

In an attempt to defray the risks of another Credit Suisse debacle, the government of Switzerland has proposed, much to UBS’s consternation and chagrin, that UBS increase their capital requirements by up to USD 26 Billion. The UBS management has already criticised this move by the FDF (Federal Department of Finance), but despite intensive public lobbying by the bank’s officials, the FDF wants UBS to fully capitalise its foreign subsidiaries. The UBS proposal by the FDF forms only part of the department’s on-going and wide-ranging reforms to the financial sector of Switzerland.

In 2023, UBS, backed by a state sponsored rescue, took over its biggest Swiss competitor Credit Suisse, and part of that rescue now requires UBS to match 60% of the capital at their overseas/ international subsidiaries with capital at their head office or parent bank. The reasoning behind this move by the FDF, is to avoid the likelihood of another state sponsored rescue, this time, of their largest bank, which means UBS has to increase its common equity tier 1 capital by USD 26 Billion. The FTF has also said that UBS can reduce its AT1 bond* holdings by USD 8 Billion leaving a net increase in Tier 1 capital of USD 18 Billion.

*AT1 Bond Holdings – refers to the investments an individual or institution holds in Additional Tier 1 Bonds also known as contingent convertible bonds or CoCos**. AT1 bonds are a type of bank capital designed to absorb losses during a bank’s financial distress, making them a higher risk, higher yield, compared to a bank’s traditional bond.

**CoCo Bonds – are hybrid debt instruments (combines characteristics of both debt and equity) that are automatically converted into equity or written down when a pre-specified trigger point is reached which is typically a fall in a bank’s capital ratio. This mechanism helps banks recapitalise without needing to seek external equity under stressful conditions, reducing the likelihood of a taxpayer funded or government bailout.

The financial proposals by the FDF will be put out for consultation and should become law at the earliest by 2028 and UBS will be given between six to eight years to put the changes into practice. However, the government and the FTF have been locked in an open feud with UBS since April 2024, when the government first muted these changes. UBS will now have ample opportunity to lobby lawmakers and ask them to water down the current changes. One lawmaker from the Upper House said, “The real lobbying starts now and we are preparing for negotiations to last for years”.

The FDF has already added that alongside the capital reforms, it is proposing a targeted strengthening of the capital base at UBS, which will include the treatment of assets that are not sufficiently recoverable in times of crisis such as deferred tax assets. The FDF said that “regulatory treatment of such assets need to be tightened” and will result in UBS being required to add additional capital over and above of what is already required. In a note to employees seen by a major news outlet, UBS chairman said to the staff “We are disappointed by today’s announcement … we will stand our ground”.

The Debanking Crisis and How to Rebuild Financial Confidence

A new financial phenomenon has in recent years swept through the financial world and it is known as “DEBANKING”. Debanking occurs when a bank, at any time and in any place, closes a corporate, personal, or private account – or refuses to open one – without warning or providing any plausible or straightforward reason. Banking clients may have been with their bank for a short period of time or may have been with them for years, but the client can wake up one morning to find they have no banking facilities.

This means no cash or debit card, no visa card, any banking facilities will have been cancelled, they have been financially frozen out of the system, and there is nothing clients can do about it; there is no recourse. What many citizens and corporates across the globe don’t know is that debanking is not just an internal compliance issue when fraud, money laundering, terrorist funding or other criminal or illicit activity is discovered. Indeed, the innocent, law-abiding (never even has a parking ticket) individuals or entities can be kicked out without any due process; there is no appeal.

A question many in the financial industry have been asked is “When did debanking start”? The answers are somewhat fuzzy, but in essence the concept of debanking, particularly in a political or disruptive motivated context, never really had a fixed beginning date. It is a theme or phenomenon that has occurred throughout history evolving over time but has gained much traction and press awareness in recent years. Indeed, a high-profile debanking event took place in the United Kingdom when in 2021 NatWest Bank debanked a senior British political figure, Mr Nigel Farage MP* leader of the Reform Party.

*Nigel Farage – Nearly two years after NatWest Group closed his accounts at their wholly owned private wealth subsidiary Coutts & Co, the then CEO Dame Alison Rose resigned. Although the bank said the account was closed due to Mr Farage accounts falling below the required thresholds, Mr Farage obtained a document stating that the bank were at odds with his political views. The case was settled privately where the bank paid Mr Farage an out of court settlement, but political motivation in the case was never proved.

The Farage case highlighted the problems innocent individuals and entities face in today’s banking world. In the United Kingdom alone, in 2024 circa 408,000 were closed without appeal as opposed to 45,000 in 2016 – 2017. The same is happening in the United States, Europe and elsewhere in the world. The main focus on account closures by banks are se workers, (legal in the UK), migrants, refugees, those with poor financial histories, the homeless, PEP’s (Politically Exposed Persons), small business and those with links to crypto, (especially prevalent int the United States in recent years).

To this end, IntaCapital Swiss SA Geneva, will be pleased to hear from any high-net-worth individuals who have suffered the ignominy of having their banking facilities removed without any reasons given, with absolutely no chance of appeal or access to a recourse process.

The European Central Bank Cuts Interest Rates

Today the ECB (European Central Bank) for the eighth time in a year cut interest rates by 25 basis points leaving the deposit rate standing at 2%. The governing council were unanimous in their decision to cut three key interest rates with the President of the ECB Christine Lagarde saying that following the eighth reduction the ECB is coming to the end of the line with regard to interest rate reductions and their monetary policy cycle. The President told reporters “At the current level of interest rates, we believe that we are in a good position to navigate the uncertain conditions that will be coming up”.

Officials from the ECB describe inflation as “currently around” the 2% target. New quarterly projections issued by the ECB show inflation in 2026 at 1.6% which is below the current target, with the economy expected to expand by 1.1% in the same year. In another statement issued by the ECB it was said that trade uncertainty is likely to weigh on business investment and exports, however growth will be boosted later by government investment in infrastructure and defence.

President Lagarde also referred to growth skewed to the downside but was cheered by the fact that easier financing, a strong labour market and rising incomes should help firms and consumers withstand the fallout from a global environment suffering from severe volatility. She went on to say that despite a stronger euro weighing on inflation in the near term and decreasing emerging costs, inflation is expected to return to target in 2027.

There is of course the continuing problem of the Trump2 Presidency and tariffs. Currently most European exports are facing tariffs of 10% (except steel and aluminium which now has a global tariff of 50% except the United Kingdom who are paying 25%), however levies will rise to 50% should trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States remain deadlocked and no agreement is reached by July 9th 2025. However, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will shortly be meeting with President Trump and one of the main topics if not THE main topic will be trade, and Europe will hope something positive will come from this meeting.

The cut in interest rates had been largely priced in by traders with LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) data showing the ¼ of 1% cut had a 90% chance of going through before the announcement was made. Financial markets have trimmed their bets on another ¼% reduction in rates as this move no longer seems certain. The economic policies of President Trump, his attacks on the Chairman of the Federal Reserve and his flip flopping on tariffs, has dented confidence in the U.S. economy, has strengthened the Euro, brought energy costs down and had a positive effect on European inflation. All eyes will be on July 9th, the set by Donald Trump for the EU and the U.S to agree a trade deal.

Trump’s Tariffs Hobble U.S. Markets Whilst European Stocks Forge Ahead

The week ending 30th May 2025 saw equities in Europe as a clear winner globally, whilst tariffs and trade wars initiated by President Trump have hampered and shackled the markets in the United States. Recent data released showed that out of the world’s ten best performing stock markets, eight can be found in Europe. Indeed, this year in US Dollar terms Germany’s DAX Index* has rallied in excess of 30% including such peripheral markets as Hungary. Poland, Greece, and Slovenia.

*The DAX Index – The DAX or its full name Deutsche Aktien index 40, is Germany’s benchmark stock market index, and reflects the performance of 40 of the largest and most liquid German companies trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It is a key indicator of the health of the German economy.

The European STOXX 600 Index* is currently beating the U.S. S&P 500 by 18% (reflected in dollar terms) which as data shows is a record, which experts advise is being powered by a stronger Euro and Germany’s strong fiscal spending plan both current and in the past. Market analysts with knowledge of this arena suggest there is more to come due to attractive valuations and resilient corporate earnings, which when compared to America’s which is being gripped by fiscal and trade debt, make Europe a safer bet.

*European STOXX 600 Index – This index is a broad measure of the European Equity Market. Based in Zug, Switzerland, it has a fixed number of components and provides extensive and diversified coverage across 17 countries and 11 industries within Europe’s developed economies, representing circa 90% of the underlying investible market.

Equity bull experts suggest that Europe is back on the investment map, with some investment managers saying that recently there has been more European interest from investors than there has been in the last decade. Bulls went on to say that this rally may well be self-feeding and if European stocks continue to rise, they will be likely to attract fresh investment from the rest of the world. Indeed, some analysts suggest that if the trend away from America continues over the next five years the European markets could expect an inflow of circa USD 1.4 Trillion (Euros 1.4 Trillion.) Analysts suggest the gains so far this year were the result of a proposal by the German government to spend hundreds of billions of Euros on defence and infrastructure with some economists suggesting that this will boost growth across the European bloc from Q2 2026.

Elsewhere, a slew of Europe’s peripheral markets have had performances that have made investors sit up. For example, Slovenia’s SBI TOP Index is, according to data released, the second-best performing stock market up 42% (in dollar terms) just behind Ghana’s benchmark the Ghana Stock Exchange GSE-CI, (tracks all the performance of all company’s trade on the Ghana Stock Exchange). Other peripheral stock exchanges that have done well are Poland’s WIG20) Index up 40% whilst the benchmarks in both Hungary and Greece are both up circa 34%.

Experts suggest that 2025 could be a good year for European Stock Markets as some professionals are already betting that European stocks will outperform their counterparts in America. President Trump’s tariffs, the loss of the country’s AAA status, looming trade wars, and the current fiscal deficit of USD 1.9 Trillion (and predicted to climb), are all factors as to why investors are turning their backs on the US markets. Whether this will last, we will have to wait and see if all of Donald Trump’s predictions come true. Meanwhile back in Europe data released show that corporate earnings are in the spotlight having risen 5.3% in Q1 2025 against predictions of a 1.5% decline, another reason to perhaps bet on Europe.

Has President Trump Triggered a Sell-Off of U.S. Dollar Assets by Asian Countries?

Analysts advise that many exporting Asian nations, especially those considered as powerhouses* are beginning to unwind their US Dollar holdings which today stands at circa USD 7.5 Trillion. President Trump’s economic policies have turned America from a safe haven to one of volatility and perhaps inevitably a certain amount of pain. These Asian exporting powerhouses have for many decades enjoyed a simple economic model – Sell their products to the United States and use the proceeds to invest in U.S. assets. However, experts advise that due to President Trump’s current strategies, this model, whilst not completely broken, is certainly creaking at the joints.

*Asian Exporting Powerhouses – China, Japan, South Korea, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

This economic model is now facing its biggest challenge since the Global Financial Crisis of 2007 – 2009 with the underlying logic that created this model in disarray. Certain senior figures in this financial arena have already suggested that Asian countries due to a certain amount of pain have already begun to unwind their dollar positions. An example of such pain can be found in Taiwan where data shows that after President Trump announced tariffs on “Liberation Day” there was a big sell-off of the U.S. Dollar. As a result, Insurers in Taiwan announced just for April 2025 a loss of circa USD 620 Million, and when at the beginning of May the Taiwanese Dollar surged against its counterpart in America by circa 8.5% the same companies announced there were potential losses of circa USD 18 billion in unhedged American investments.

During the Biden presidency, data revealed that flows of capital from Asia to the United States had already receded from previous peaks. Analysts have announced that unwinding is accelerating with family offices freezing or cutting their investments, data from March 2025 confirmed that China had reduced their treasury holdings, and Japan’s largest life insurer announcing it is searching for alternatives to US treasuries. In Australia, UNISEP, one of the largest pension funds, announced it was declaring a cap on US investments, and so the list goes on. If the switch from holding US assets to doubting their reliability could experts advise, see circa USD 2.5 Trillion flow through global markets. Indeed, data released from the US Treasury confirmed that a combined net USD 172 Billion of U.S. bonds and equities were sold by Asian Nations in 2024 adding to the USD 64 Billion sold in 2023.

There are however a number of experts who disagree with the aforementioned, saying that in order for a decoupling from the United States investors need to know where to go suggesting that this is just a cyclical shift. These opinions appear to be in the minority and recent data shows that capital is already flowing into Japan. Experts now believe that policy volatility and tariffs under the Trump2 presidency is exacerbating the decoupling from the US Dollar. However, many investors still see US treasuries as a safe haven, especially as the dollar is still regarded as the world’s reserve currency. Only time will tell where the financial markets and the US Dollar stand by the end of the second Trump presidency. However, under the current circumstances the global mood towards President Trump, his tariffs, his flip-flops on economic policy, the loss of their AAA status remains cautious if not very negative.

Rebuilding Financial Confidence After Debanking

Expert Banking Solutions for High-Net-Worth Individuals in the UK and Europe

When the System Says No, We Say “Let’s Begin Again”

In recent years, an unsettling trend has been sweeping across the United Kingdom and Europe: the systematic and often unexplained closure of personal and business bank accounts — a phenomenon now commonly referred to as “debanking.” For many individuals, this experience is not only financially disruptive but also emotionally traumatic. It threatens livelihoods, damages reputations, and isolates those affected from the basic infrastructure of modern life.

Our mission is simple: we assist high-net-worth individuals — those with portfolios exceeding €1 million — who have been debanked, and we provide them with bespoke pathways back into the financial system.

If you’ve found yourself suddenly cut off from traditional banking without warning, without explanation, and without recourse — you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not without options.


The Silent Crisis: Understanding Debanking

Debanking is no longer a rare event reserved for the marginal or suspicious. Increasingly, it affects successful entrepreneurs, digital asset holders, politically exposed persons, individuals with dual nationalities, or those engaged in entirely lawful but misunderstood industries such as blockchain, e-commerce, or offshore asset management.

Banks across the UK and Europe are under intense regulatory and reputational pressure. Their risk appetite has shrunk. Complex compliance frameworks now demand enhanced due diligence, and rather than engage, many institutions choose to terminate client relationships pre-emptively.

This creates a chilling effect — and for those affected, the consequences are immediate and harsh:

  • Frozen or inaccessible funds
  • Business disruption and contractual breaches
  • Damage to credit and reputation
  • Inability to meet payroll, pay mortgages, or conduct daily transactions
  • Personal humiliation and stress

Despite this, there is no legal requirement for a bank to provide a reason for closure. There is no ombudsman for swift reinstatement. And there is no public infrastructure offering a second chance. That’s where we step in.


Who We Serve

Our bespoke banking recovery and onboarding services are designed exclusively for individuals and families with asset portfolios exceeding €1 million. We serve clients who:

  • Have had personal or business accounts unexpectedly closed
  • Are facing reputational risk due to political or professional affiliations
  • Work in sectors perceived as “high-risk” by traditional banking institutions
  • Need to establish compliant banking relationships swiftly and discreetly
  • Require advisory support for restoring financial infrastructure

We are not a service for everyone. We do not assist with criminal or sanctioned clients. Our focus is entirely on reputable, solvent individuals who have found themselves swept into the net of overzealous compliance or misunderstood financial profiling.


What We Offer

1. Private Advisory & Risk Profiling Review

We begin every engagement with a discreet, no-obligation consultation. Our in-house compliance specialists and external legal advisers conduct a full review of your situation. We help identify the reason(s) behind your account closure, whether it was risk classification, transaction behaviour, or external flags.

You will receive a risk-adjusted banking profile audit and a clear road map for re-entry into the financial system.

2. Banking Relationship Rebuilding

Through our deep network of trusted financial institutions across Europe, Switzerland, the Middle East, and selected offshore jurisdictions, we are able to make discreet introductions to relationship managers at banks that remain open to onboarding new clients — particularly when referred via trusted intermediaries.

We only work with fully licensed and regulated institutions that meet EU and UK standards.

Whether you require a personal account, business account, escrow solutions, or multi-currency capability, we help restore access where others have failed.

3. Financial Identity Reconstruction

For those who have been debanked, the problem is not simply a lack of access — it is a lack of trustworthiness in the eyes of the system. We assist clients in re-establishing their financial footprint by:

  • Cleaning digital footprints and adverse media
  • Updating KYC and due diligence documentation
  • Advising on restructuring asset holdings to fit compliance expectations
  • Assisting with explanations for past financial behaviour (e.g. crypto transactions, international flows)

This makes you more bankable — again.

4. Ongoing Discretion & Monitoring

We do not believe in one-off fixes. We offer long-term relationship management and ongoing compliance advisory to help you avoid future disruptions. Our clients receive:

  • Proactive compliance updates
  • Pre-transaction screening for red-flag triggers
  • Dedicated point-of-contact for ongoing support
  • Annual reviews to ensure accounts remain in good standing

Our work doesn’t end when the account is open — it continues as long as you need us.


Why Choose Us?

1. We Understand What Others Don’t

Our team is composed of former bankers, legal professionals, and risk analysts. We understand how banks think. More importantly, we understand how high-net-worth individuals operate — and how to navigate the space between.

2. Our Network is Our Edge

You cannot “Google” your way to a private banking relationship. Our value lies in our curated, compliant, and active network of banking institutions that still say yes — under the right circumstances.

3. We Are Discreet and Selective

We only accept clients we believe we can help. Your privacy is paramount. We operate with the highest level of discretion, and we only engage on strict NDAs and confidentiality terms.

4. We Deliver Results

We are not theorists. We are doers. Our track record includes hundreds of successfully restored financial relationships — with satisfied clients in London, Zurich, Lisbon, Dubai, Monaco, and beyond.


Case Studies

Client A – UK Entrepreneur in E-Commerce

Client A had their personal and business accounts at a Tier 1 UK bank closed without explanation. Despite running a seven-figure online retail business and no legal issues, they were unable to open accounts elsewhere due to unexplained flags. We conducted a reputational audit, helped re-structure the business under a clean entity, and introduced the client to a digital-friendly bank in Luxembourg. Accounts were opened within 10 working days.

Client B – Dual National Politically Exposed Person (PEP)

This client’s accounts were closed due to their association with a political figure in Eastern Europe, despite having no direct political activity themselves. We successfully re-established banking via a private institution in the Middle East, accompanied by a legal letter of clearance.

Client C – Crypto Wealth Holder Debanked by Swiss Bank

Client C had over €4M in digital assets and was fully tax-compliant, but their bank refused to renew their account due to new internal policy changes regarding virtual assets. We facilitated onboarding with a Liechtenstein bank experienced in digital asset liquidity, while structuring part of the holdings into a managed trust.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can you guarantee an account will be opened?

No service can guarantee a successful outcome. However, we significantly improve your chances by preparing your profile professionally, matching you with the right institutions, and mitigating historical red flags.

Do you work with sanctioned individuals or criminal cases?

No. We do not engage in any activity that circumvents financial regulations or supports unlawful behaviour. We only assist clean clients facing unjustified exclusion.

Can you help with business as well as personal accounts?

Yes. We assist with both, including holding companies, family offices, and SPVs.

Do you work with digital asset holders?

Yes. We understand blockchain and crypto-related banking issues and offer compliant structuring options.

Can I remain anonymous?

All client engagements are private and protected by professional confidentiality agreements. We do not disclose client identities or case details.


Ready to Rebuild?

If you or someone you know has been debanked and is struggling to re-enter the financial system, we invite you to speak with us. We offer a private, intelligent, and strategic approach to restoring your banking access — and your peace of mind.

Contact Us

Rebuild. Reconnect. Reassure.
Because Financial Freedom Shouldn’t End With a Letter in the Post.

Trump Reignites Trade War with EU as he Threatens 50% Tariffs on the Bloc

On Friday 23rd May, President Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on June 1st, 2025, on the EU (European Union) stating that current negotiations on trade between Washington and Brussels were going nowhere. President Trump has been complaining for a long time that the EU bloc has been unlawfully targeting U.S. companies with regulations and lawsuits, plus he feels that the Europeans have been deliberately taking their time over the current trade negotiations. Originally, on “Liberation Day” 2nd April 2025, the EU had been marked down for 20% tariffs, but were reduced to 10% until July 9th, to give enough time for trade talks to find common ground and a solution.

In response to the tariff threats by President Trump, the EU Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, said “EU/US trade is unmatched and must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand ready to defend our interests”. He went on to stress “the EU’s fully engaged, committed to securing a deal that works for both of us”. Many of the European governments reacted to the tariff threat warning that higher tariffs would indeed be damaging to both sides. Meanwhile, back in the Oval Office, President Trump also announced to reporters that new tariffs would be imposed unless EU companies moved their operations to the United States.

However, on Monday 27th May, following a phone call between the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump, where the EU signalled a more conciliatory approach by agreeing to accelerate trade talks, the President of the United States agreed to extend the 50% tariff deadline to July 9th, 2025. Experts suggest that one of the major roadblocks that face the EU is that they feel America is not making it clear exactly what they want, and they still do not know who is speaking for the President. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has spoken twice with U.S. Commerce Secretary with his statements adopting a more malleable tone, gone was the previous rhetoric of “we will defend our interest rates”.

After Trump’s announcement last Friday, the markets reacted with the usual predictability with the Nasdaq down 1%, the broader S%P 500 down 0.68%, the STOXX EUROPE 600 index down 0.68%, Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac 40 both ended the day down over 1.5%. The US Dollar took a beating again, down by as much as 0.8% on the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index*, slumping to its lowest level since 2023. Experts suggest that the threat of punitive tariffs then removing that threat gives many investors and traders in the financial markets a lack of confidence in the Presidency translating to a lack of confidence in the greenback. Whilst many indexes recovered on Monday 26th May, the US Dollar continued its decline which not only included the slap happy way tariffs are doled out, but also Trump’s tax bill which is expected to add hundreds of billions to the federal deficit. Meanwhile data released from the Commodities Futures Trading Commission show hedge funds, asset managers and other speculative traders continued to bet against the US Dollar.

*Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index – This index is a benchmark that tracks the performance of the US Dollar against a basket of major global currencies. It’s designed to provide a

comprehensive view of the dollar’s strength by including currencies from both developed and emerging markets that are significant in international trade and liquidity.

A full-blown trade war between the EU and the United States is according to experts not in anyone’s interests. The repercussions to both protagonists’ economies would be negative and will undoubtedly have a downside effect on global trade as well. No matter what is currently being said, both the U.S. and the E.U. are miles apart in their negotiations, with President Trump having already rebuffed a trade deal from the E.U. last Thursday 22nd May. Despite improved rhetoric from both sides those close to the negotiations are fearful that come July 9th, 2025, a consensus may not have been reached.

Will the UK’s Inflation Figures Strengthen the Bank of England’s Hawkish Bias?

The latest data released by the ONS (Office for National Statistics), shows the United Kingdom’s inflation rate, the CPI (Consumer Price Index), jumped to 3.5% from 2.6% in April of this year, driven mainly by increases in water, energy and other price increases. Service inflation was seen accelerating from 4.7% to 5.4% and is an area the Bank of England watches closely for signs of underlying price pressure, and Bank officials had expected this figure to be 5%. Elsewhere Core Inflation (does not include food and energy) climbed to 3.8% which is the highest it has been since April 2024. Earlier this month, the Bank of England’s MPC (Monetary Policy Meeting) voted on yet another rate cut where two members voted to hold rate cuts, and the above figures bear out their cautiousness.

The Bank of England’s target inflation figure is 2%, and the current rate of inflation is well above that target and furthermore, the Bank of England expected this figure to rise and peak at 3.7% in September of this year. Other data shows consumer prices rising by 1.2%, the biggest rise for 24 months. Consumers in April were hit with a number of increases such as volatile air fares (up 16.2% year on year), water bills, local authority taxes, train fares and an across-the-board basic cost increase, which added to a pretty damning April for the government. However, analysts have noted that the Easter holidays were probably responsible for the jump in airfares (biggest month-on-month jump for April on record) and expect this figure to diminish before the summer holidays begin.

Experts suggest the financial markets are in favour of an end of year interest rate of 4% for the first time since the end of March/early April. This sentiment translates into one more rate cut this year suggesting that the Bank of England’s MPC will slam the door shut on an interest rate cut at its next interest rate meeting on Thursday 19th June 2025, with traders cutting an August interest rate cut from 60% to 40%. Markets also remember comments from the Bank of England’s Chief economist, Hugh Pill, who voiced in a hawkish speech that he feared interest rates were not high enough to keep the lid on inflation, and analysts suggest that it would not take too much for the swing voters on the MPC to move into the hawk’s camp especially after what the Consumer Price Index had recently shown.

Indeed, Mr Pill voted against a rate cut of ¼ of 1% earlier in May where he also said, “In my view, that withdrawal of policy restrictions has been running a little too fast of late, given the progress achieved thus far with returning inflation to target on a lasting basis. I remain concerned about upside risks to the achievement of the inflation target”. We will wait on the MPC’s meeting in June but the likelihood according to experts is a rate hold, plus we will also wait and see if Donald Trump’s economic policies impact further the global economy with any fall-out influencing decisions taken by bank officials. Elsewhere in April, it has been revealed that government borrowing for the month was £10 Billion, with data confirming this figure to be a new record. All in all, not the best 30 days with newspapers dubbing the month as “Awful April”.

United States and China Trading Update

Without a doubt, President Trump’s tariff war has severely disrupted trade between the two economic powerhouses, and nowhere else is this as dramatically highlighted as Apple’s iPhone and mobile devices, where shipments to the United States in April 2025 are down to levels not seen since 2011. Customs data revealed that Smartphone exports slid 72% or circa USD 700 Million in April, outpacing by a long way an overall drop in Chinese shipments to the U.S. of 21%.

Elsewhere in early May 2025, the busiest container hub in the United States, the Port of Los Angeles, saw a drop in shipments by circa 30% as the weight of Trump’s tariffs took their toll. Data released shows that retailers and importers were the most affected, especially those linked to China. Bilateral trade in 2024 between China and the U.S. was circa USD 690 Billion and investors feel that tariffs will significantly erode this figure.

Despite the temporary reprieve in tariffs between the two nations, data reveals that the trade war has left a deep unwelcome imprint on Chinese exporters with many looking to new markets away from the United States. Well known in the trade insurance arena, Allianz Trade having conducted a poll of Chinese exporters found 95% will or already are more determined than ever to double down on exporting their goods to non-U.S. markets.

China’s coastal city of Ningbo is host to China’s second largest port (Ningbo-Zhoushan Port) by cargo tonnage where local businesses, despite the de-escalation in tariffs still plan to reduce exports to the United States and “Go Global’. Senior experts and economists at the Economic Intelligence Unit confirmed this fact whilst also confirming Southeast Asia* remained the favoured destination among many businesses seeking to move production away from China.

*Southeast Asia – comprises eleven countries Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Note that many Chinese companies are somewhat wary of Vietnam with concerns over rising cost weighed against an attractive labour market. Indonesia appears to be the favoured destination.

Experts in the Sino – U.S. arena suggest that decoupling in the medium term seems to be the favoured outcome as Chinese exporters move away from the United States and American companies look to increase efforts to move production out of China with Apple already accelerating a shift in production to India. Apple was railed against by President Trump for not moving production back to the United States, experts close to the situation have said that scenario is unfeasible. The deal struck in Geneva between China and the United States brought tariff rates down to levels before the tit-for-tat tariff skirmish. But with time eating into the 90-day de-escalation agreement, the world will hold their breath whilst these two economic giants try and come to a sensible agreement.

Moody’s Downgrades the United States’ Sovereign Credit Rating

On Friday May 16th, 2025, the credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded the Unites States’ sovereign credit rating from Aaa (equivalent to AAA at Standard & Poor’s and Fitch) by one notch to Aa1 due to growing concerns over the nation’s USD 36 Trillion debt pile. Moody’s is the last of the three most important and recognisable rating agencies to downgrade the sovereign credit rating of the United States, with Fitch downgrading in 2023 and Standard and Poor’s downgrading in 2011. The United States has held a perfect credit rating from Moody’s since 1917, however the rating agency back in November when 2023 advised it might lower the U.S. credit rating when it changed its outlook from stable to negative.

The reaction from the White House was predictable, with spokesman Kush Desai saying, “If Moody’s had any credibility, they would not have stayed silent as the fiscal disaster of the past four years unfolded.” In another statement the White House advised that the administration was focused on fixing Biden’s mess. The White House communications director Steven Cheung also laid into Moody’s singling out their chief, Mark Zandi, who he said was a political opponent of President Trump, and is a Clinton donor and advisor to Obama. He went on to say, “nobody takes his analysis seriously and he has been proven wrong time and time again”.

Moody’s pointed out that in 2024, the government spending was higher than receipts by circa USD 1.8 Trillion, being the fifth year in a row where fiscal deficits have been above USD 1 Trillion. Debt interest has been growing year on year and eating into sizeable chunks of government revenue, with Moody’s pointing out that federal interest payments in 2021 absorbed 9% of revenue in 2021, 18% in 2024, and predict circa 30% by 2035. The GAO (Government Accountability Office), which is seen as an investigation arm of Congress has called the current situation unsustainable and went on to say that unless there is a change of policy debt held by the public will be double the size of the national economy by 2047.

After the announcement on Friday 16th, markets were unnerved on the following Monday morning, with stock markets recovering by the end of the day with experts confirming that markets had shrugged off the news, but some were advising that investors should be wary of complacency. However, some analysts advise the downgrade is a warning sign and may be the catalyst for profit taking after a huge run in the past month for equities. At the end of the day, United States Treasury Bonds are currently viewed by global investors as the safest investment in the world, and a downgrade by Moody’s is unlikely to stifle appetite for treasuries.

For most money managers and other global investors and market participants experts advise that the downgrade was probably seen coming for some time and lands in a market already wary of risks from tariffs and fiscal dysfunction. However, currently President Trump is pushing the Republican controlled Congress to pass a bill extending the 2017 tax cuts, a move some analysts predict will add many trillions to an already highly inflated government debt. However, hardline Republicans blocked the bill denuding deeper spending cuts. There was volatility in US Treasuries on Monday after the Moody’s announcement with 30-year treasuries breaking through the symbolic barrier of 5% (first time since October 2023) but slipped back to 4.937% by close of business. Experts suggest that the bond market had already priced in risk premium for government economic policy already in disarray, meaning Monday’s upward move in yields was just a knee-jerk reaction.