- “I’m pretty nervous” about the economy, says Rick Rule, pointing to weak demand for energy and industrial commodities as red flags
- Global trade is splintering into strategic blocs, which Rule says is “good for critical metals outside China’s orbit”
- Rule is investing in rare earths cautiously, backing companies like Meteoric Resources and Aclara Resources while continuing to “learn the space”
- Battle Bank offers high-yield accounts, multi-currency savings, and gold-backed loans — designed for self-directed investors.
Rick Rule may call himself “retired,” but from the look of things, he’s anything but. The legendary investor, President and CEO of Rule Investment Media, and co-founder of the upcoming Battle Bank, joined the Expert Exchange to talk candidly about the global economy, the shifting dynamics in critical minerals, and why he’s building another bank for the self-directed investor.
Rick Rule: A Nervous Credit Guy in a Soft Economy
“I’m afraid I’m not an economist,” Rule begins, almost too casually for someone who’s spent decades decoding markets. “But as a credit guy, I’m pretty nervous.”
He points to industrial commodity prices as a clear signal that all is not well beneath the surface. “Before the renewed conflict in the Middle East, we had flat to falling oil supply—and still falling prices. That tells you demand is weak, which tells you the economy is weak.”
In addition, Rule is wary of what he calls “transactional politics.” In particular, U.S. tariff policy. “Mr. Trump’s tariffs—reduced to their essence—are taxes. And taxes are bad. They’re bad for the American economy and the global economy.”
Technology as the Bright Spot
All things considered, Rule sees reasons for long-term optimism. “Technology continues to advance—AI in particular. It’ll be hard on people who don’t know how to add value, but it will absolutely lower the cost of producing goods and services.”
Rule’s trademark realism comes with a punch of optimism: “Amazingly, technology allows individual human beings with creativity, tenacity, and hard work to fund our collective stupidity.”
Rick Rule on Critical Minerals Realignment
Shifting to the critical minerals sector, Rule outlines a fast-changing global landscape.
“We’re seeing the division of the world into strategic trading blocs,” he says, noting that Asian and Western economies alike are seeking independence from the Chinese supply chain. “That’s great news for critical and strategic metals outside China’s orbit. Governments are even moving quickly—shockingly quickly.”
In this case, “We just saw a uranium mine in the U.S. get permitted in under a month. I never thought I’d see that in my lifetime.”
In addition, he believes state-backed efforts to support domestic supply chains could make shareholders the unexpected winners. “Governments may choose to subsidize the supply chain—stealing money from taxpayers to reward shareholders. It’s perverse, but it’s happening.”
The Battle Bank Vision: Empowering the Self-Directed
Rule is also channeling his retirement energy into launching Battle Bank, a modern, online financial institution built specifically for savers and investors who want more than what traditional banks offer.
“This is a bank for the self-actualized customer,” Rule says. “People who want to take control of their financial future.”
Battle Bank will allow clients to hold multi-currency accounts, earn interest on high-yield money markets, and even use gold and silver as collateral for margin loans—starting at just $10,000, not the $10 million most banks require. “We believe gold is good collateral,” Rule adds. “The Royal Bank of Canada agrees—if you’re a billionaire. We just lowered the bar.”
The bank is also pioneering “checkbook IRAs,” allowing Americans to use their retirement funds to buy real estate, franchises, or physical assets. “Your IRA is your IRA,” Rule emphasizes. “Not a dumping ground for Wall Street products.”
Rick Rule: Investing Ahead of the Curve
Rule has his eye on the rare earth space, particularly companies outside China. “I’m a shareholder in Meteoric Resources in Australia and Aclara Resources in Canada/Brazil. I’m looking at others, but I admit, I’m still learning.”
“I’ll be an amateur in a month,” he jokes, before adding, “There are 30 self-proclaimed experts in rare earths. In this case, “The more I talk to them, the less I think they know.”
In between running the Rule Symposium, co-founding Battle Bank, and while continuing his investments in the critical minerals sector, Rick Rule is clearly not retiring in any traditional sense.
What keeps him going?
“I love this stuff,” he says with a grin. “And frankly, I’m not done yet.”
Be sure to catch Rick Rule’s other segments, Wise Advice from the Intelligent Investor, and his top book suggestions.
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