Guidance Note – General Business Insurers With Segregated Accounts And Separate Accounts

The Bermuda Monetary Authority has published a consultation paper outlining the first phase of a resolution regime for the commercial insurance sector, designed to align with international standards. The framework establishes the BMA as the Resolution Authority with five core objectives and defines which insurers will fall within scope. This phased approach raises important questions about governance, recovery planning, and the practical implications for domestic insurers and Internationally Active Insuranc

Bermuda has emerged as the dominant global hub for life and annuity reinsurance, now holding over $900 billion in US life and annuity liabilities and accounting for 84% of all US reserves ceded offshore. This analysis examines how the island's sophisticated regulatory framework, purpose-built infrastructure, and commercially engaged regulator have created a structural advantage that extends beyond its traditional catastrophe reinsurance roots into long-dated life business from the US, UK, and Asia.

On 2 December 2024, the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) released several key documents to guide insurance entities in their year-end reporting and compliance obligations.

The Bermuda Monetary Authority has completed its consultation on proposed new rules for the supervision of Internationally Active Insurance Groups, introducing enhanced qualitative requirements aligned with the Common Framework for the Supervision of IAIGs. These proposals would establish strengthened standards for corporate governance, risk management, liquidity oversight, and supervisory reporting for insurance groups operating across multiple jurisdictions.

The Bermuda Monetary Authority is implementing new Insurance (Internationally Active Group Supervision) Rules 2026 to align Bermuda's regulatory framework with international standards for Internationally Active Insurance Groups set by the IAIS. These proposed rules introduce enhanced governance, risk management, and reporting requirements for IAIGs domiciled in Bermuda, with final rules expected in Q4 2026 following a consultation period that closed on September 30, 2026.

Bermuda's managing general agent market is evolving rapidly as capacity providers demand better governance, aligned incentives, and transparent oversight. With regulatory scrutiny intensifying and new capital structures emerging, the island's sophisticated infrastructure positions it uniquely to accommodate the next generation of MGA platforms that combine specialist underwriting expertise with dedicated capital vehicles.

The insurance-linked securities (ILS) market is evolving with multiperil structures and risk commingling becoming increasingly prevalent. As data centre build-outs present new opportunities and challenges, industry experts weigh in on whether ILS can shoulder the massive exposures ahead, while casualty sidecars continue to generate discussion despite limited transaction activity.

The Bermuda Monetary Authority has introduced a new Police Clearance Certificate requirement for Key Persons of regulated financial institutions, effective October 2026. This regulatory change strengthens vetting processes and aligns Bermuda with international standards by requiring additional criminal history documentation during approval processes. In-scope insurers must now navigate new compliance obligations for controllers, officers, and other designated Key Persons.

Bermuda has seen a steady increase in new captives being formed as well as new structures, risks and geographies being covered.

One way that the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), as the island's financial regulator, addresses these uncertainties is by requiring insurers and reinsurers...

China has introduced a comprehensive Individual Income Tax regime for offshore trusts, imposing a 20% flat tax on settlors and beneficiaries with Chinese connections. With a 90-day transition window now in effect, affected individuals must urgently assess their disclosure obligations and consider whether existing trust structures remain viable under the new rules.

Islamic finance is experiencing rapid global expansion, with assets approaching US$6tn and record sukuk issuance attracting non-traditional investors. The convergence of Shariah-compliant and sustainable investing is creating new opportunities, while AAOIFI Standard No. 62 and tokenisation developments are reshaping how Islamic finance structures are designed and implemented across international markets.

Ireland's Budget 2027 introduces significant tax reforms aimed at boosting competitiveness and encouraging investment, including reductions in capital gains tax, simplified interest relief provisions, and a new Personal Investment Account with favorable tax treatment. The budget package totals €8.5 billion with measures focused on rewarding work, promoting entrepreneurship, and addressing housing supply challenges.

Important changes have been made to the BVI Business Companies Act, Revised Edition 2020 (the "Companies Act").

Liquidity concerns are all too familiar to most private equity fund managers these days, and investors in their funds have not been immune.

Further to our recent update, the DITC has issued an updated CRS Entity Self-Certification Form and Individual Self-Certification Form to reflect the recent amendments to the CRS as implemented in the Cayman Islands.

The CRS is the global standard developed by the OECD for the automatic exchange of financial account information between participating jurisdictions for tax purposes.

The decision as to where to establish an offshore trust can only be made based on the specific requirements of the client.

The Cayman Islands Department for International Tax Cooperation has made the following announcements regarding the AEOI regimes.

The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands recently delivered a judgment in In the matter of Pinnacle Global Partners Fund I LTD.