Consumers

The Guernsey Financial Services Commission has become aware that a website has been established cloning the Commission’s own website (The GFSREA – Guernsey Financial Services and Regulatory Enforcement Authority – www.gfsrea.org). The Commission’s website domain is www.gfsc.gg The Guernsey Financial Services and Regulatory Enforcement Authority’s website appears to closely resemble the Commission...

The Commission has been notified that investment is being promoted in the above-named entity by non-licensed individuals in Guernsey. The purpose of this notice is to advise that The HyperFund is not licensed, authorised or in any way regulated by the Commission for the conduct of any financial services business in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The Commission also wishes to emphasise that dealing in...

The Commission has been notified of an unsolicited approach that was made to a Guernsey resident by representatives of the above-named company. The company, which claims to be based in New York, is said to provide trading services in respect of shares and other securities. The company representative offered to arrange to buy shares that were held by the Guernsey resident at a price far higher than...

The Commission is aware that there has been a recent increase in phishing attempts targeting local businesses. Firms are reminded of the guidance available to them in the Commission’s Cyber Rules and Guidance, 2021 and in particular the need to ensure the Firm: has appropriate cyber security software in place; implements IT systems updates in a timely manner; and its staff exercise caution and...

The Commission has today published a Spring Green Consultation Paper - please click here and its Thematic Review of the Guernsey Green Fund Regime - please click here. Both documents underline the Bailiwick’s ongoing commitment to this important area. The Spring Green Consultation Paper proposes an addition to the Finance Sector Code of Corporate Governance, to take specific account of climate...

The Commission confirms that with effect from Monday 25 January 2021, the vast majority of its staff will be home working. The Commission’s Authorisations team remains open for business. The switchboard will continue to operate during normal office hours and callers will be asked by the receptionist to provide their contact details in order that a member of staff can call or email them back. Firms...

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...

The Commission’s Financial Crime Division is recommencing its routine financial crime inspections to firms with immediate effect. Routine inspections were suspended on 19 March 2020 to enable firms to deal with the immediate operational impact of the coronavirus lockdown. Financial Crime inspections are resuming now as the finance industry has demonstrated its resilience and firms have generally...