General

On 28 June 2023, the Commission hosted a conference jointly with Guernsey Finance – AI & Finance in Guernsey: The Power and the Implications. Attendees heard how Guernsey's nimbleness, robust legal framework and approach to regulation could enable the Island's financial services Industry to benefit from the opportunities posed by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. The Commission is pleased to be...

Guernsey Funds The total net asset value of Guernsey funds at the end of the quarter was £288.7 billion, a decrease over the quarter of £3.0 billion (-1.0%). Over the past year, total net asset values have decreased by £20.9 billon (-6.8%). Open-ended Schemes Within these totals, Guernsey domiciled open-ended funds decreased over the quarter by £0.8 billion (-1.5%) to £50.0 billion. This...

Following feedback from industry, the Commission has amended the Notice of Disapplication of Licensing Requirement, issued under section 40 of the Lending, Credit and Finance Law, which sets out a number of class exemptions from licensing. Three of the changes were made to clarify the disapplications in respect of lending secured against property which is outside the Bailiwick, lending by...

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...

The Commission maintains a panel of ‘Senior Decision Makers’ who determine the outcome of the Commission’s major enforcement cases. A Senior Decision Maker, sitting alone, hears those cases involving findings of serious regulatory shortcomings against a licensee and / or individual directors and where those findings are contested. As part of the process [1], Senior Decision Makers are also...

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...

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...

The Commission has today published its 2022 annual report and financial statements. In the annual report, the Commission discusses: the increased risks faced by the financial services sector as a result of high inflation and rising interest rates; its continued development of digital technology to enhance performance; its work with Guernsey Finance and others to develop the Bailiwick’s proposition...

Additional Question The 2023 Fiduciary Annual Return, which will be available on licensees' timelines on 27 May 2023, includes the following additional question: Breakdown of business by geography for trusts, foundations, companies and partnerships. Currently fiduciary licensees are required to identify the country of residence of the settlor of a trust, the founder of a foundation or the...