News

Articles from 2021

Sanctions Notice - Republic of Belarus

22nd July 2021
Please be advised that JSC AGAT Electromechanical Plant has been designated under the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. These regulations are given effect within the Bailiwick under the Sanctions (Implementation of UK Regimes) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Brexit) Regulations, 2020. JSC AGAT Electromechanical Plant is subject to an asset freeze and will appear on the...

New Discretionary Financial Penalties - Update

21st July 2021
As we have worked on some current enforcement matters it has become apparent to us that we will be taking some cases forward seeking pecuniary sanctions where there is some wrongdoing before 13th November 2017 and some wrongdoing after 13th November 2017. Our intent in relation to such matters is not clearly covered by the Guidance Note on the Commission’s general approach to Enforcement issued in...

Commission consults on Fees for 2022

16th July 2021
The Commission today launches a consultation paper on proposals for increasing the licence fees paid by firms. The consultation period will close on Wednesday 8 September. The Commission’s consultation paper is available here. Feedback may be provided via the Consultation Hub section of the Commission’s website: https://consultationhub.gfsc.gg Taking into account the Commission’s current and...

Thematic Review on Reporting Suspicion

15th July 2021
The Commission has today issued its report on the thematic review on the reporting of suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing. The review covered both financial services and prescribed businesses and was undertaken during the second half of 2020. Please click on the following link for a copy of the review: Reporting Suspicion - Thematic Review 2020 All firms which took part in this...

Financial Crime Risk Return 2021

8th July 2021
The Financial Crime Risk Return (the “FCRR”) for the reporting period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 will be available for completion on the Online Submissions Portal on 13 July 2021. The submission deadline is 31 October 2021. Following the Commission's previous announcements and after consultation with industry, updates made to the 2021 FCRR include: Additional reporting on suspicious activity and...

Updated Guernsey Green Fund Rules

6th July 2021
The Commission has today amended the Guernsey Green Fund Rules making two liberalisations based on industry feedback gathered during our thematic review of the Guernsey Green Fund Regime published in March. These amendments were consulted on as part of the Commission’s Spring Green Consultation, issued on 11 March 2021. Responses to the Spring Green Consultation Paper were largely supportive and a...

Updates to the Handbook on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing and issuance of Instruction

5th July 2021
The Commission has today issued amendments to the country lists in Appendix C and Appendix I of the Handbook on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing reflecting the Financial Action Task Force’s updated list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, which includes Malta, Haiti, the Philippines and South Sudan. The amendments include the removal of Malta from the list of equivalent...

Removal of restriction on the use of Incorporated Cell Companies by Non-Financial Services Businesses

5th July 2021
The Commission has implemented The Companies (Incorporated Cell Companies) (Prescribed Classes) Regulations, 2021. Previously, under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 a non-financial services business wishing to be incorporated as an Incorporated Cell Company (ICC), was required to be administered by a licensed person. The new regulations remove this requirement where the ICC is to be a non...

Sanctions Notice - Republic of Belarus

22nd June 2021
Please be advised that eleven individuals and two entities have been designated under the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; these are implemented in the Bailiwick by the Sanctions (Implementation of UK Regimes) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Brexit) Regulations, 2020 as amended. The following individuals and entities have now been added to the consolidated list, which can be...