Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of ultra high and high net worth investors at Credit Suisse Private Banking USA’s fourth annual Wealth Management Conference said they had become less aggressive with their overall investments over the past two years, while 65 per cent named employment as the most important issue in the elections, ahead of the budget deficit, regulatory reform and Afghanistan.

The conference, held in Chicago on Monday, focused on the theme "New Realities, New Responses," and discussions ranged from the upcoming mid-term US elections to how global innovation is driving change in the new decade. Keynote addresses were made by the columnist George Will and the author Stephen Dubner.

Over 250 entrepreneurs, executives and families attended the conference and heard panel discussions on topics including the safety of municipal bonds, sustainability, the real estate sector, innovation and philanthropy.

Upcoming 2010 Private Banking USA Wealth Management Conferences will take place in New York City in October and San Francisco in November.