Curaçao Trust could be used for asset segregation purposes According to Professor of Law David Hayton, an Anglo-Saxon trust arises from the settlor’s transfer of title to property to another person, intending that person to be a trustee-manager of it for the benefit of beneficiaries or for a charitable or other permitted purpose. Trusts are… Continue reading THE CURACAO TRUST BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR
Category: Finance
FATCA AND THE US – DUTCH INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Dutch IGA published In connection with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), the government of the Netherlands entered into a Model 1 Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the United States (click here). Under the Dutch IGA, Netherlands financial institutions would report required information to the Netherlands tax authorities, followed by an automatic exchange of the… Continue reading FATCA AND THE US – DUTCH INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION
Curaçao offers legitimate risk management solutions Why would one consider an asset protection strategy? There are individuals and business entities all around the world not trusting their government (e.g. fear for expropriation or nationalization by their government). Or they are seeking legitimate protection from any future downturns. Or they do not want the world to… Continue reading RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION
DUTCH CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES
A bank has less freedom than an ordinary legal entity What would be the requirements, from a regulatory point of view, if a Curaçao or St. Maarten bank wished to sell its entire business or a substantial part thereof? Would it require approval from the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (‘Centrale Bank van… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES
CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN THE BES ISLANDS
Strictly regulated With effect from 1 July 2012, the Financial Markets (BES Islands) Act [Wet financiële markten BES; “Wfm BES”] came into force, with the associated subordinate regulations. The Wfm BES applies to financial institutions in the BES islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba). There are several categories of financial institutions, including credit institutions (banks).… Continue reading CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN THE BES ISLANDS
REGULATORY LAWS IN THE BES ISLANDS
There are three regulators According to the Dutch Central Bank (“DCB”), financial institutions must be sound, reliable and stable to ensure confidence among businesses, consumers and others. DCB states on its website: “In addition to making certain their customers are properly informed about their products and services, these institutions also have a duty of care… Continue reading REGULATORY LAWS IN THE BES ISLANDS
ELECTRONIC MONEY INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA
A license is required The European Central Bank defines e-money as follows (a non-legal definition): “E-money can be defined as any amount of monetary value represented by a claim issued on a prepaid basis, stored in an electronic medium (for example, a card or computer) and accepted as a means of payment by undertakings other… Continue reading ELECTRONIC MONEY INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS IN CURACAO
Money laundering is prohibited Title XXXI of the Penal Code of Curaçao basically prohibits any type of money laundering. The National Ordinance on the Reporting of Unusual Transactions (NORUT) obliges service providers acting in the course of a business or profession, to report unusual transactions. The National Ordinance on Identification of clients when Rendering Services (NOIS)… Continue reading ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS IN CURACAO
ASSET PROTECTION IN CURACAO
Curaçao: a jurisdiction not to be missed A Curaçao private foundation or a trust is often used for asset protection and privacy purposes. The Curaçao private foundation and the Curaçao trust must be set up by a notarial deed executed before a civil law notary in Curaçao. Both the private foundation and the trust are… Continue reading ASSET PROTECTION IN CURACAO
HEDGE FUNDS FLOCK TO CURACAO
Citco once again most popular administrator for hedge funds WILLEMSTAD – Citco is once again the most popular administrator for hedge funds, topping the annual Absolute Return ranking for the fifth consecutive year. The international firm, which has led the survey every year since its inception, further increased its market share to 23.03%, approximately 1.2… Continue reading HEDGE FUNDS FLOCK TO CURACAO
THE CURACAO TRUST
Can be used as protected or segregated cell company On 1 January 2012, new legislation entered into force according to which it is now possible to set up a trust (Curacao Trust) similar to the trust in Anglo-Saxon common law jurisdictions. The introduction of the Curacao Trust serves as an important instrument which could be… Continue reading THE CURACAO TRUST
CURACAO FUNDS AND ADMINISTRATORS
Statutory requirements applicable to the organizational and legal structure The National Ordinance on the Supervision of Investment Institutions and Administators (Landsverordening regelende het toezicht op beleggingsinstellingen en administrateurs; NOSIIA) provides for a regime of supervision for investment institutions and administrators with the objective of an adequate operation of the financial markets and the protection of… Continue reading CURACAO FUNDS AND ADMINISTRATORS