News

Financial Crime

Updates to the AMLCFT Handbook

10th July 2023
The Commission has today issued an updated Handbook on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing following consultations on rules and guidance in relation to an independent audit function, business risk assessments, virtual asset service providers and additional information disclosures for licensed trustees and partners. We have also updated Appendix I of the Handbook which lists...

Director Registration Regime

10th July 2023
Further to legislation passed by the States of Guernsey last week, the Commission has launched today a new director registration regime for individuals holding certain categories of directorships following amendments to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) Law, 1999 and an amendment to the Regulations of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc (Bailiwick of Guernsey)...

Update on Exemptions from licensing – personal directorships

15th June 2023
Further to the publication of a news article on our website on exemptions from licensing – personal directorships on 12 June, the Commission has updated the news article to provide further clarification: On 5 June 2023, the Regulation of Fiduciaries etc (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 were made by the Policy & Resources Committee (the “Committee”). These Regulations, which...

Exemptions from licensing – personal directorships

12th June 2023
On 5 June 2023, the Regulation of Fiduciaries etc (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 were made by the Policy & Resources Committee (the “Committee”). These Regulations, which are to be laid before the States meeting on 5 July and which come into operation on 8 July, expand the available licensing exemptions for certain categories of personal directorship activity. The...

Consultation on AML/CFT Obligations upon VASPS and Additional Obligations upon Licensed Trustees and Partners

9th June 2023
Today a consultation paper has been issued on the proposed additional rules and guidance for virtual asset service providers (“VASPs”) and specified businesses with a connection to, or involvement with, virtual assets, on how to meet the requirements of Schedule 3 to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 1999 (“the POC Law”) and rules in the Handbook on Countering...

Financial Crime Returns Rules, 2023

19th May 2023
The Commission has made the Financial Crime Returns Rules which make mandatory the filing of the annual financial crime risk return, the annual intermediaries return and the quarterly financial flows return. We have also issued feedback on the consultation which we ran earlier this year. The Commission is taking a phased approach to the introduction of a fining penalty for late or inaccurate...

Mr Trevor James Kelham and Ms Sarah Jayne Sarre

18th May 2023
The Financial Services Commission (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987 (the “Financial Services Commission Law”); The Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Financial Services Businesses) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2007 as amended (“the Regulations”). The Handbook for Financial Services Businesses on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing (“the Handbook”). The Principles of the...

Consultation on Amendments to Schedule 3 to the Law regarding Independent Audit, Business Risk Assessments and VASPs

28th March 2023
Today a consultation paper has been issued on proposed amendments to Paragraphs 3 and 15 of Schedule 3 to the Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1999 as amended (“Schedule 3 to the Law”) and associated rules and guidance in the Handbook on Countering Financial Crime and Terrorist Financing in relation to an independent audit function and on business risk assessments...

Sanctions Notice - Russia

23rd March 2023
Please be advised that the UK has now designated all persons designated under the Financial Sanctions Regime for the purposes of the prohibition on providing trust services. NB: This prohibition does not apply to the provision of trust services in cases where an asset freeze is in place. The UK Russia regulations are given effect within the Bailiwick under the Sanctions (Implementation of UK...