Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Financial Institution Risk Management Under Scrutiny Amid Global Regulatory Shifts
The small island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a key player in the offshore financial sector, is facing increased scrutiny over its risk management practices as global regulatory authorities tighten their grip on the industry. The country’s Offshore Financial Centre (OFC) has been subject to numerous challenges since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
Defining International Financial Centres
According to the International Monetary Fund, an International Financial Centre (IFC) must have a large number of financial institutions functioning in a simplified regulatory environment, with low or no tax, and with the majority of its transactions initiated offshore. Saint Kitts and Nevis, along with several other Caribbean islands, falls under this category as a Regional Financial Centre (RFC).
Impact of Global Regulatory Shifts
Prior to the global financial crisis, the sector was thriving, contributing positively to foreign exchange inflows in the region. However, in the aftermath of the crisis, regulatory jurisdictions worldwide made concerted efforts to strengthen their financial sector regulation, supervision, and risk management.
- To increase the resilience of financial institutions and prevent another financial sector collapse
- To restrict potential money laundering and terrorist financing through stricter anti-money laundering (AML), countering the financing of terrorism (CFT), and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations
Consequences for Saint Kitts and Nevis
As a result, several Caribbean countries, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, have been subjected to increased financial regulations by international authorities. This has had a significant impact on the growth of the offshore financial sector, limiting its potential for expansion.
Policy Brief Aims
This policy brief aims to assess existing and potential threats to the Offshore Financial Sector in selected Caribbean countries, with a particular focus on Saint Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda. Interviews were also conducted with stakeholders in other Caribbean countries to gauge the wider implications for the subregion.
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