SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS ARE A TYPE OF BAYWATCHERS

When you dress a lizard in a suit you will have trouble with his tail! A seminar on Financial Institutions and their Supervisor was held in Aruba on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The seminar was organized by the Aruba Bankers’ Association & Insurance Association of Aruba. I was one of the keynote speakers and delivered… Continue reading SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS ARE A TYPE OF BAYWATCHERS

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 LEGISLATION IN CURACAO

General requirements on the business operation Regulatory legislation in Curacao does not distinguish between different kinds of products, such as for instance hedge funds, but is of a more general nature. The regulatory legislation of Curacao applicable to financial institutions is divided into four categories being: credit institutions, institutional investors, investment institutions & administrators and… Continue reading REGULATORY LEGISLATION IN CURACAO

CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA

A license is required According to Section 4 of the Aruba State Ordinance on the Supervision of the Credit System 1998 (SOSC), no enterprise or institution established in Aruba shall pursue the business of a credit institution unless it has obtained authorization to that end from the Central Bank. No enterprise or institution established outside… Continue reading CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA

THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

The Country known as the Netherlands Antilles will disappear as of 10-10-10 The country, the Netherlands Antilles, consists of Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, and forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles will no longer exist. Two new countries will be born on that… Continue reading THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

NETHERLANDS 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 Netherlands Antilles bank wished to sell its entire business or a substantial part thereof? Would it require approval from the Netherlands Antilles Central Bank (de ‘Bank van de Nederlandse Antillen’)? Generally, if the… Continue reading NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES

RESTARTING SECURITIZATION MARKETS IS CRITICAL

IMF: securitization can positively contribute to financial stability and sustainable economic growth Although recent public opinion has focused on what went wrong with securitization, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it is important to recognize the many benefits associated with sound securitization. Mobilizing illiquid assets and transferring credit risk away from the banking system… Continue reading RESTARTING SECURITIZATION MARKETS IS CRITICAL

BES LAW DEVELOPMENTS

Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES) Within a couple of years, the BES Islands, as public entities, will be part of the country of the Netherlands in the framework of the political restructuring in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The US dollar will be introduced as the new currency in the BES Islands. Curacao and… Continue reading BES LAW DEVELOPMENTS

THE OFFERING OF NOTES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Only to licensed credit institutions Any Notes (including rights representing an interest in a Note in global form) that are offered as part of their initial distribution or by way of a re-offering in the Netherlands Antilles, shall, in order to comply with the Netherlands Antilles National Ordinance on the supervision of banking and credit… Continue reading THE OFFERING OF NOTES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

DUTCH GOVERNMENT INJECTS $13 BILLION IN ING GROUP

Restoring confidence is key Recently, the Dutch government acquired all shares in the capital of the Dutch subsidiary of Fortis, i.e. Fortis Bank Nederland, including ABN AMRO Bank. Furthermore, the Dutch government has set aside $27.5 billion of capital to protect the financial institutions of the Netherlands. Although there are many banks that have enough… Continue reading DUTCH GOVERNMENT INJECTS $13 BILLION IN ING GROUP

DUTCH CARIBBEAN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Central Bank monitors compliance The regulatory rules and regulations in the Netherlands Antilles deal with credit institutions, investment institutions and administrators, insurers and insurance brokers, company pension funds, trust service providers, capital markets, anti-money laundering and identification, and foreign exchange control and license fees. The Netherlands Antilles have one regulator: the Central Bank of the… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK