Curacao and (Dutch) St. Maarten began the transition from the Antillean Guilder (NAf or ANG) to the Caribbean Guilder (Cg or XCG) on March 31, 2025. From now on, the Caribbean Guilder is the legal tender in both countries. All prices, invoices, statements, receipts etc. will be in the new currency (XCG). The XCG has… Continue reading NEW CURRENCY FOR CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN
Tag: central bank
DEVELOPMENTS IN DUTCH CARIBBEAN FINANCIAL LAW
New ordinances and rules to be introduced in 2021 In Curacao and St. Maarten major changes are in the pipeline when it comes to regulatory legislation. In July 2020, the Central Bank (CBCS) launched a consultation round on the draft of three national ordinances and a regulation containing generally binding rules. The first draft concerns… Continue reading DEVELOPMENTS IN DUTCH CARIBBEAN FINANCIAL LAW
SUPERVISION OF BROKERS AND ASSET MANAGERS IN CURACAO
New Ordinance will enter into force in 2017 In the course of 2017, the Curaçao ‘Landsverordening toezicht effectenbemiddelaars en vermogensbeheerders’ (National Ordinance on the supervision of securities brokers and asset managers) will come into force. The primary aim of the new Ordinance is to introduce a supervisory regime for brokers in the securities business and… Continue reading SUPERVISION OF BROKERS AND ASSET MANAGERS IN CURACAO
SUPERVISION OF SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS IN ARUBA
New Ordinance entered into force on 1 January 2017 The Aruba National Ordinance on the Supervision of Securities Transactions (Landsverordening toezicht effectenverkeer; NOSST) entered into force on January the 1st, 2017. With this National Ordinance, a licensing obligation is introduced for stockbrokers, asset managers, investment institutions, managers of investment funds, and operators of a stock… Continue reading SUPERVISION OF SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS IN ARUBA
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
BANKING SUPERVISION IN CURACAO AND SINT MAARTEN
Prudential rules and requirements The Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten is responsible for the care of the financial system’s health, effected through on and off site inspections of the banking and other financial institutions authorized to operate in Curacao and St. Maarten. The National ordinance on the supervision of banks and credit institutions… Continue reading BANKING SUPERVISION IN CURACAO AND SINT MAARTEN
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 CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN
A license is required The National Ordinance on the supervision of banking and credit institutions 1994 (Landsverordening toezicht bank- en kredietwezen, the “NOSB”) of both Curacao and St. Maarten prohibits any one (other than a licensed Credit Institution) from – directly or indirectly – soliciting funds from the public or extending credit to the public… Continue reading CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN
INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN
Raising money without a license is prohibited The National Ordinance on the Supervision of Investment Institutions and Administrators 2002 (Landsverordening toezicht beleggingsinstellingen en administrateurs, a.k.a. “NOSIIA”) of both Curacao and St. Maarten prohibits raising, or obtaining, pecuniary means or other property for the purpose of participating in an investment institution that has not been granted a… Continue reading INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN
THE RHYTHM AND BLUES OF CURACAO CONTRACT LAW
Principle of fairness and reasonableness When considered in the perspective of the laws of Curacao, the reliance on or the enforcement of contractual terms and conditions contained in any agreement, may under certain circumstances be contrary to the overriding principle of ‘fairness and reasonableness’ (redelijkheid en billijkheid) which governs the relationship between the parties to… Continue reading THE RHYTHM AND BLUES OF CURACAO CONTRACT LAW