Authorisations

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...

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...

In December of last year, the Commission published a Consultation Paper containing proposals to amend the PIF rules to allow more investor categories to take advantage of an appropriately regulated fund structure. All those responding to the Consultation Paper welcomed the proposals and in light this, the Commission has decided to amend the PIF rules with immediate effect. These are now available...

The Commission is today stating that late filing fees will not be applied in respect of all regulatory returns that are due to be submitted between now and the end of June provided they are submitted within two months of the original deadline. Although the timelines on the Commission’s Online returns portal for returns will not be altered so the original dates will still show, the Commission will...

The Commission has today issued a revised application form for the Private Investment Fund – Form PIF (December 2020). Please ensure that this form is used for all future applications and that all applicable requirements are adhered to. The Form PIF (December 2020) can be found here. Emma Bailey Director Authorisations and Innovation

The GFSC is Participating in the GFIN’s Cross-Border Testing. The GFSC is pleased to be participating in the GFIN’s Cross-Border Testing which launches today, 29 th October 2020. The Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN) – a group of over 60 international organisations committed to supporting financial innovation in the interests of consumers – is inviting applications from firms to test...

The Commission today launches a consultation paper on proposals for increasing the licence fees paid by firms (please click here for a copy of the consultation paper). The consultation period will close on Tuesday 15 September. The proposals are for an increase of 2.1% across all sectors, based upon Guernsey’s RPI, together with the introduction of a modest fee for fast track applications of £500...

The COVID 19 pandemic resulted in many licensees being unable to operate in their usual office environments. Entering Phase 5, a return to normal activity in the Bailiwick, has seen many licensees return to their offices but we are conscious that adoption of home working has accelerated. Information security risks can increase with home working and therefore we are highlighting a non-exhaustive...

Over the last three months, various international supervisory bodies have reaffirmed the planned timelines for transition away from LIBOR to alternative reference rates, such as SONIA (Sterling Overnight Index Average) or SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate). Firms should therefore continue to assume that they will be unable to rely on LIBOR being published beyond the end of 2021 and should...