Jersey: the International Finance Centre

Jersey is a world-leading International Finance Centre. Its successful combination of stability and reliability – together with a sophisticated and comprehensive infrastructure of laws and regulations – has kept the Island at the forefront of global finance for nearly half a century. This wealth of experience and expertise enables the Island’s financial service providers to deliver an unparalleled welcome to businesses and investors alike. Professionalism, convenience and quality of service are the hallmarks of Jersey as an International Finance Centre.

Praised by international bodies such as the IMF for the quality of its regulation, the Island offers:

  • wide-ranging financial, accountancy, legal and other professional expertise;
  • independent and stable political and economic strategies;
  • internationally recognised regulation and leading edge legislation;
  • state of the art electronic communications;
  • an industry-wide selection of investment services and opportunities.

Neither part of the United Kingdom nor a colony, Jersey is responsible for its own domestic affairs including taxation and financial regulation. United Kingdom Parliament Acts extend to Jersey only if the Island expressly agrees that they should. The Island’s allegiance is to the British Crown, and its constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom the product of over 900 years of custom and usage, unaffected by changes of government in the United Kingdom.

Over the centuries Royal Charters have secured the independence of the Island’s judicial system from the English courts and granted important privileges – including freedom from United Kingdom taxes.

Jersey is not part of the European Union, being neither a separate Member State nor an associate member. The Island’s special relationship with the European Union is defined by a Protocol attached to the Treaty of Accession of the United Kingdom to the European Community. Any change in these arrangements would require a Treaty amendment and this itself would need the agreement of all the Member States including the United Kingdom. The Island authorities consider that this relationship remains the best arrangement – not only for the Island but also for the European Union. No change is therefore sought or expected.

Financial services supervision as well as depositor, investor and policyholder protection arrangements in the Island are the responsibility of the Jersey Financial Services Commission – a statutory body corporate, responsible to the States of Jersey.

Confidentiality and security are assured for legitimate businesses and investors through the law governing bank/customer and professional/client relationships. Good regulation provides protection from illegal activities in financial dealings.

For more information about Jersey as an international finance centre, please visit www.jerseyfinance.je.