Why Guernsey?
Guernsey is internationally recognised as one of the world's premier and most highly regulated offshore financial centres and is home to many major international and UK banks, investment businesses, insurance companies and asset management institutions, all servicing a global client base.
The island is protected by the British Crown but is self-governing and enjoys the same level of independence it has had since first becoming associated with England. The Guernsey Financial Services Commission is the Regulatory body for the finance sector.
Guernsey provides all of the following for international investors;
- Political stability
- Fiscal independence
- A favourable tax regime
- Excellent communications
- A high level of legal and financial expertise
- No exchange controls
- Confidentiality - no public filing of trust deeds
- A modern Trust Law providing protection for beneficiaries
Guernsey is now home to some 150 licensed financial services providers, ranging from large organisations to independent, boutique operations and together they employ approximately 2,200 staff and hold between £250bn and £300bn worth of assets in trust.
Perhaps most importantly, Guernsey is on the G20 ‘white list' as having substantially implemented the internationally agreed tax standard and it is these developments which were central to it being named 'International Finance Centre of the Year' at the STEP Private Client Awards 2008/9.
For those clients seeking a safe and compliant home for their accumulated pension rights, Guernsey should be considered as a preferred jurisdiction.
