THE CUSTODY OF SECURITIES IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN

Separate legal entity Generally, securities that must be held by a Netherlands Antilles bank on behalf of its clients will be held by a custodian. In most cases the custodian is either a foundation (‘stichting’) or a wholly owned subsidiary (NV or BV) of the bank. The scope of the activities of the custodian will… Continue reading THE CUSTODY OF SECURITIES IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN

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

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (III)

Case law the principle of good faith A legal entity and all involved in its organization have a legal duty to behave towards each in accordance with the principles of reasonableness and fairness, i.e. (objective) good faith. A provision or requirement contained in a legal entity’s articles of association or by-laws, may be set aside… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (III)

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)

Limitations on the applicability of provisions As a general matter of Netherlands Antilles law, the interpretation of terms contained in legal documents, such as the articles of association and the by-laws, however only to a certain extent, inter alia subject to the intention of the parties, and the enforcement thereof, is subject to the overriding… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)

Ranging from basic to extremely complex Under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, public and private limited liability companies (NVs or BVs), foundations, co-operatives, mutual insurance societies and associations are considered legal entities. The articles of incorporation (a.k.a. articles of association) provide the regulatory framework by which these legal entities in the Netherlands Antilles are… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)

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

LIBERALIZATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Telecom first, airlines to follow suit The government of the Netherlands Antilles has been in favor of liberalizing the telecommunication market for may years now. Liberalization of the telecom market means opening it up to domestic and foreign competition, subject to certain regulatory principles. Basically, liberalization means competition; competition means price levels determined by the… Continue reading LIBERALIZATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

THE STRUCTURE OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN FUND

It is easy and inexpensive to set up a SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) From a legal point of view, establishing a fund in Curaçao is very attractive under the corporate law in force since March 1, 2004, whereby a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap) can be established very quickly and flexibly. Virtually everything is… Continue reading THE STRUCTURE OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN FUND

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