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About Guernsey as a Jurisdiction

A leading global finance center with stability, innovation, and international credibility.

Updated over 2 months ago

We are incorporated in Guernsey under Company Registration No. 63978 and are regulated & licensed by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020.

A few highlights on Guernsey as a Jurisdiction:


🔐 Jurisdictional Strength & Sovereignty

  • 800+ years of political autonomy as a British Crown Dependency — independent legislature and tax regime.

  • Not part of the EU, but aligned with EU standards where relevant (e.g. AIFMD access).

  • AA- credit rating by Standard & Poor’s — underlines its strong fiscal and institutional framework.


📊 Core Pillars of Financial Services

  • Banking – Home to 20+ international banks offering private and corporate services.

  • Insurance – Europe’s largest domicile for captive insurance, known for innovation.

  • Investment Funds – Over 1,000 funds domiciled with £300+ billion NAV; more non-UK listings on the London Stock Exchange than any other jurisdiction.

  • Investment Management – Broad range of providers, from global houses to boutiques.

  • Private Wealth & Pensions – Expertise in trusts, international pension schemes, and succession planning for HNWIs.


Regulatory Environment

  • Flexible, fast, and pragmatic regulator (Guernsey Financial Services Commission, GFSC) with:

    • Guaranteed response times.

    • Open-door policy.

    • Robust AML/CFT compliance: 48 out of 49 FATF recommendations met.

  • Fully compliant with EU Code of Conduct on Business Taxation and OECD standards.

  • No banking secrecy laws – reinforces transparency and trust.


🌍 Tax Transparency & Global Cooperation

  • Early adopter of FATCA, CRS, and BEPS.

  • 60+ Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs).

  • Signatory of the OECD’s Multilateral Instrument for tax treaty-related measures.

  • 14 full and 12 partial Double Taxation Agreements.

  • Central register of beneficial ownership introduced in 2017.


🌱 Innovation & Firsts

  • Pioneered the Protected Cell Company (PCC) structure (1997).

  • First in the world to offer:

    • Guernsey Green Fund – a regulated green investment product.

    • Image Rights legislation and register.

  • Legal certainty for electronic agents and smart contracts since 2019.


🌐 Well-Connected & Globally Relevant

  • Guernsey-domiciled funds channeled:

    • £42 billion to the UK, £77 billion to Europe, and £43 billion to the US in 2019.

  • Strong links with global markets and offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

  • Common language (English), currency (GBP), and time zone with the UK.


🌟 Reputation of Substance

  • A financial centre of real economic substance, not brass-plate operations.

  • Low crime, highly educated workforce, and an economy where 40% of GDP comes from financial services.


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