By Brannon Howse
May 14, 2025

The financial landscape is shifting beneath our feet, and it’s not a pretty picture for those who trust the banking system. On my recent broadcast, I was joined by the Bad News Bears, Michael Weiner and Wes Peters, to discuss a disturbing trend: major banks closing branches, massive money laundering scandals, and the growing appeal of gold as a safe haven. President Trump is working hard to restore America’s economic strength with tariff deals, but the rot within our financial institutions—and the global push for digital currencies—poses a grave threat to our freedoms.

The headline that caught my eye was from the Daily Mail: TD Bank, with 1,100 branches, plans to shutter 38 locations in the coming weeks. Wes Peters broke down the backstory, revealing that from 2019 to 2023, TD Bank facilitated $670 million in money laundering, including $500 million tied to fentanyl trafficking. This led to the largest criminal fine in history—$1.8 billion to the Department of Justice, plus a $1.3 billion civil penalty. Shockingly, some insiders at the bank were complicit. Michael Weiner added that TD Bank, a subsidiary of Toronto Dominion Bank, has deep ties to China, with BlackRock owning 4.7% of its shares. “These guys were literally money laundering money for people that were killing Americans,” Michael said, noting that the Biden administration sat on its hands, failing to indict those responsible.

This isn’t an isolated incident. The first quarter of 2025 alone saw closures from Flagstar, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and others. Wes pointed out that the FDIC’s troubled bank list, which had 52 banks in Q4 2024, is now shrouded in secrecy to prevent a run on the banks. “They’re scared to death of a run on the banks,” he said, especially with social media’s ability to amplify panic. Meanwhile, conservatives faced debanking under Biden for being too patriotic or Christian, yet these banks turned a blind eye to criminals moving massive sums. As I told Wes and Michael, my gut tells me the elites at these banks knew exactly what was happening—they just didn’t care, because the money was too big, and their ideology aligns with globalists, not patriots.

The banks’ push for digital banking exacerbates the problem. Michael warned, “They don’t want you to be able to come into the bank… They want you to do everything on computer so they can track you, share your information, and literally track all of your habits.” This aligns with the globalist agenda to move toward a digital currency, a move Trump has vowed to block. But the BRICS nations are accelerating their de-dollarization efforts, with a major meeting in July under Basel III to further their platform to bypass the U.S. dollar. Wes noted that 10 Southeast Asian countries are also on board, signaling a “perfect storm” for the dollar’s credibility.

Amid this chaos, gold is emerging as a beacon of stability. A recent Gallup poll found that Americans now rank gold as the best long-term investment after real estate, surpassing stocks. With gold at $3,238.50 an ounce—down nearly $300 from its high—it’s a buying opportunity. Michael predicted gold could hit $4,000 as U.S. credibility crumbles, urging viewers to act now. “Smart investors buy on the dips, dollar cost average,” Wes added, emphasizing gold’s role as a hedge against a financial system on the brink.

I’ve been warning about this for years, even when gold was $1,200 an ounce. Now at $3,238, those who waited are kicking themselves—and if it reaches $6,000, they’ll regret it even more. Gold offers liquidity, privacy, and empowerment. As Michael put it, “It’s a strange feeling when you have gold and silver… It’s empowering because you don’t have to run to somebody else to get permission to get your money.” Wes and Michael, who I’ve worked with for 16 years through WorldviewGold.com, offer no-pressure education on precious metals. Text Wes at 602-558-8585 for a free packet, or visit WorldviewGold.com to learn more.

Trump’s appointee to oversee banks at the Federal Reserve is a step in the right direction, and next year’s new Federal Reserve Board Chairman could expose more bank games, especially with derivatives. But for now, the message is clear: get some of your wealth off the grid. Support our mission to keep exposing these truths at WorldviewFoundation.com, and join us Sunday night as we resume our study in Revelation 15:1. Let’s stay vigilant and protect our freedoms.