Finance
Samuel Leeds on Cash, Inflation and the UK Banking System
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Self-made millionaire and property educator Samuel Leeds has shared his perspective that keeping large amounts of money in British banks might not be the best way to protect wealth over the long term. He describes modern money as an abstract idea that can lose value through devaluation.
Self-made millionaire and property educator Samuel Leeds has shared his perspective that keeping large amounts of money in British banks might not be the best way to protect wealth over the long term. He describes modern money as an abstract idea that can lose value through devaluation.
In a popular video, Leeds, who built a multimillion-pound property portfolio from humble beginnings, breaks down how he sees the financial system working. He argues that the current setup tends to favour banks more than individual savers.
“The Bank of England can authorise significant monetary expansion without public consultation. This increases the money supply, reducing the purchasing power of existing currency, a process known as inflation. As a result, earnings diminish in real value over time,” Leeds explains.
Leeds points to data indicating the pound has lost approximately half its buying power since 2000, while London house prices have risen by around 346% over the same period.
“Assets like property are not merely appreciating; the currency itself is depreciating,” he notes. In his view, relying solely on cash savings can lead to a loss of value over time due to inflation.
Economists recognise inflation’s effect on cash holdings, though they stress that bank deposits are still suitable for emergency funds and short-term liquidity needs.
Leeds highlights what he sees as limitations in high-street banks, which use customer deposits to generate profits while sometimes imposing restrictions on large withdrawals.
“In one instance, attempting to withdraw £1 million led to scrutiny and confirmation that the funds were not immediately available in cash form, essentially digital entries,” he recounts.
Banks operate on a fractional reserve system, keeping only a portion of deposits as reserves, a regulated practice. Customer funds are protected up to £85,000 per person per institution under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Leeds raises concerns about growing oversight in digital banking.
“With accounts subject to freezing, transaction monitoring, and potential restrictions, accessibility is not guaranteed,” he states, pointing to trends toward cashless systems.
Leeds favours physical assets as a way to counter currency devaluation.
“Currency is conceptual, but assets like property are tangible and cannot be arbitrarily diminished,” he says. “Financial institutions invest depositors' funds in similar assets.”
Analysts agree that property, precious metals, or business ventures can help offset inflation, though they note the associated risks and the value of diversification.
Referencing Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation period, Leeds shows a ten-trillion-dollar note as an example of extreme monetary collapse.
“Excessive money creation rendered currency valueless, despite nominal wealth,” he observes.
Raised on a council estate, Leeds overcame financial challenges to own properties internationally. He now runs a leading UK property education academy, teaching strategies for acquisition, financing, and management.
He aims to highlight alternative options for savers.
He claims banks encourage saving rather than investing, a view not shared by mainstream financial institutions. He believes holding large cash balances above the FSCS protection limit (£85,000 per bank) may expose savers to risk.
Leeds promotes investing as one route to financial growth but acknowledges it involves risk. He notes that other approaches to building wealth exist.
For those worried about inflation, Leeds suggests exploring options beyond traditional savings.
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. It can lead to a decrease in the value of currency over time.
The fractional reserve system is a banking practice where banks hold only a fraction of their depositors' money in reserve, allowing them to lend out the majority of deposits.
Tangible assets are physical items of value, such as real estate or machinery, that can be touched and have intrinsic value, unlike intangible assets like patents or trademarks.
Purchasing power refers to the amount of goods and services that can be bought with a unit of currency. It decreases with inflation, meaning you can buy less with the same amount of money over time.
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