The Cayman Islands continues to strengthen its legal and regulatory framework relating to the provision of international financial services. As anticipated, these changes include an expansion to the regulatory oversight of investment funds, in particular through the registration of private funds and the elimination of an exemption for mutual funds with fifteen or fewer investors. Lesley Connolly, Regional Head of Regulatory and Compliance Services and Operations in Cayman, provides an overview of the changes expected.
Both bills were published on 8 January 2020 and, while it remains subject to industry consultation and adjustment prior to being passed into law, it’s expected that the final form of the bill will be passed by 30 January 2020. Accordingly, while the following summarises key elements of the bills and accompanying legislative guidance notes as published, Intertrust will provide a further update once the final terms of the laws are confirmed.
We understand that the pace of regulatory change can be difficult to keep up with and that management of costs is important. Read on for update on these changes and contact us to discuss how we can help you minimise the legal and regulatory burden and expense of complying with these changes.
The Private Funds Bill, 2020 (the “Private Funds Bill”) proposes the introduction of a requirement for close-ended funds to be registered with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”), sets out the operating conditions applicable to private funds, creates various offences, and gives CIMA various powers in relation to registration and supervision of private funds.
A private fund is prohibited from carrying on (or attempting to carry on) business in or from the Cayman Islands unless it has submitted of an application for registration to CIMA within 21 days of accepting capital commitments, has filed the prescribed details in respect the private fund with CIMA, has paid the prescribed annual registration fee, complies with any conditions imposed on its registration, and complies with provisions of the law. A private fund is prohibited from accepting capital contributions from investors in respect of investment interests until it’s registered by CIMA.
Once registered, a private fund is required to pay an annual fee by 15 January each year, have its annual accounts audited by an auditor approved by CIMA, submit the audited accounts to CIMA within six months of the respective financial year-end, submit an annual return, in the prescribed form, in respect of each financial year-end, and file with CIMA details of changes that materially affect information submitted to CIMA and changes to its registered office or principal office within 21 days. The records of a private fund must be maintained in an accessible manner and in accordance with rules, statements of principle and guidance issued by CIMA.
In addition, a private fund must:
The Private Funds Bill allows valuation, custody and cash monitoring functions to be handled by independent third parties and, subject to conditions relating to independence and conflicts of interest, persons with a relationship with the private fund’s manager or operator.
The Private Funds Bill contemplates regulations being issued to prescribe various matters (including forms and fees) and to establish transitional provisions.
The Mutual Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (the “Mutual Funds Bill”) proposes the repeal of the existing exemption from registration for mutual funds with fifteen or fewer investors the majority of whom have the ability to appoint or remove the operator of the fund and introduces a requirement that such funds (i) be registered with CIMA and (ii) have a licensed mutual fund administrator providing its principal office in the Cayman Islands. CIMA’s powers in relation to regulated funds will be largely extended to funds required to be registered.
A mutual fund that was previously exempted is prohibited from carrying on (or attempting to carry on) business in or from the Cayman Islands unless it has filed with CIMA a certified copy of an extract of its constitutional document specifying that a majority of investors in number are capable of appointing or removing the operator of the mutual fund, has filed with CIMA any other information in the form prescribed, is registered with CIMA, and has paid the prescribed annual registration fee.
A mutual fund registered pursuant to the Mutual Funds Bill is required to pay an annual fee, have its accounts audited annually by an auditor approved by CIMA, submit the audited accounts to CIMA within six months of the respective financial year-end, and submit an annual return, in the prescribed form, in respect of each financial year-end.
The Mutual Funds Bill allows mutual funds that were exempted immediately prior to its coming into force six months to become compliant with the new provisions.
Our Cayman team has assisted clients with maintaining legal and regulatory compliance in the Cayman Islands for over 35 years. As an independent service provider, with a large and experienced team, and the holder of trust, company management and mutual fund administrator licences, we’re ideally placed to assist with satisfying registration requirements, custody and cash monitoring needs, and record-keeping obligations in addition to ongoing governance matters.
Please contact your relationship manager or one of our experts to discuss how we can help prepare your fund entities for these changes in regulation.