Trust Licence / Nominee Trust Company Licence (Cayman Islands)
The Trust Licence / Nominee Trust Company Licence under the Banks and Trust Companies Act is issued by Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) under Banks and Trust Companies Act (2025 Revision). The official register lists 11 current holders. Ownership changes need the regulator's approval before completion.
At a glance
| Official name | Trust Licence / Nominee Trust Company Licence under the Banks and Trust Companies Act1 |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Cayman trust licence · Cayman trust company licence · Cayman nominee trust licence · CIMA trust licence · Banks and Trust Companies Act trust licence (Cayman) · Nominee trust company licence |
| Issued by | Cayman Islands Monetary Authority |
| Jurisdiction | Cayman Islands |
| Licence family | Trust and corporate service provider (TCSP) |
| Legal basis | Banks and Trust Companies Act (2025 Revision)2 |
| Passporting | Domestic only |
| Public register | official register1 |
| Current holders | 111 |
What it lets you do
| Trust and company services | Forming companies, acting as or arranging directors, nominee shareholders and trustees, and providing a registered office. |
|---|
Where it is valid
Buying a company that already holds it
Prior approval required. Under s.28(1) of the VASP Act, CIMA's prior approval is required before any issue or voluntary transfer of shares/interests reaching 10% or more of a VASP; the acquirer must file a Personal Questionnaire and fitness documentation. Acting without approval is an offence, and CIMA may also take action against the licence. Other CIMA-regulated entities (banks, trust companies, mutual fund administrators, securities licensees) face a stricter 0% threshold: any transfer needs prior approval.3
TCSP in other countries
| Country | Licence | Regulator | Min. capital | Application fee | Statutory time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayman Islands | Trust Licence / Nominee Trust Company LicenceTrust Licence / Nominee Trust Company Licence under the Banks and Trust Companies Act | CIMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cyprus | Administrative Services Provider (ASP) authorisation | CySEC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Estonia | Authorisation for providing trust and company services | FIU | n/a | EUR 345 | ~2.8 mo |
| Malta | Company service provider authorisation (Class A, B, or C) | MFSA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Netherlands | Trust office licence (Vergunning trustkantoor) | DNB | n/a | EUR 4,500 | n/a |
| Seychelles | International Corporate Service Provider (ICSP) LicenceInternational Corporate Service Provider (ICSP) Licence under the International Corporate Service Providers Act 2003 | FSA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Singapore | Trust Company Licence | MAS | n/a | SGD 1,000 | n/a |
| Switzerland | Trustee licence | FINMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Values come from each licence's page, where every figure has its source.
Sources
- cima.ky: banking statistics · retrieved 2026-09-24
- cima.ky: acts and regulations · retrieved 2026-09-24
- maples.com: cima change of control process a guide for cayman islands re · secondary · retrieved 2026-09-24
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