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JURISDICTION SCORECARD

Jurisdiction Scorecard – Gilderstone

A structured comparison of leading securitisation jurisdictions across the dimensions that matter most to originators, arrangers, and institutional investors.

Criterion
🇮🇪
Ireland
EMEA CLO centre
🇰🇾
Cayman Islands
Offshore classic
🇯🇪 🇬🇬
Jersey & Guernsey
Crown dependencies
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Private banking / EAM
Regulatory Framework
8.6
7.0
6.1
5.2
Rationale
Ireland
  • Section 110 framework is tax-driven rather than structurally purpose-built
  • CBI as competent authority; strong EU regulatory standing
  • Less flexible than Luxembourg for complex or esoteric structures
Cayman Islands
  • No dedicated securitisation statute; relies on general common law
  • No statutory investor protections, segregation is contractual only
  • Flexible but carries third-country friction for EU-facing mandates
Jersey & Guernsey
  • Common law frameworks with limited securitisation-specific legislation
  • Not subject to EU Securitisation Regulation; NPPR required for EU access
  • Separate legal systems (JFSC / GFSC) add complexity for cross-border work
Switzerland
  • No dedicated securitisation statute; SPVs use general company law
  • Outside EU SecReg entirely, full third-country friction for EU investors
  • 35% anticipatory WHT on note interest is a structural impediment
Investor Acceptance
9.0
7.6
6.5
6.2
Rationale
Ireland
  • Highly accepted by EU and global investors, with market-leading strength in CLOs and securitisation (ABS) structures
  • Euronext Dublin is a leading venue for debt listings, supported by strong regulatory credibility from the Central Bank of Ireland
  • Marginally lower than Luxembourg for non-CLO structures
Cayman Islands
  • Accepted for rated ABS; as a non EU jurisdiction, some EU investors may apply additional internal due diligence
  • DTC eligibility requires additional legal analysis case by case
  • Strong acceptance from US and Asia-Pacific investors
Jersey & Guernsey
  • Comfortable for UK and Crown dependency investors; EU acceptance variable
  • TISE or LSE listing; DTC eligibility assessed case by case
  • As non EU jurisdictions, Jersey and Guernsey sit outside EU regulatory passporting frameworks
Switzerland
  • Strong niche acceptance among Swiss private banks and EAMs
  • Limited EU institutional appetite due to non-EU status
  • SIX Swiss Exchange listing well-developed domestically only
Structural Flexibility
7.4
8.6
7.1
7.4
Rationale
Ireland
  • Section 110 regimes are typically structured for income-generating assets; highly active trading strategies can introduce tax and substance challenges
  • Contractual segregation only no statutory compartmentalisation
  • Strong for vanilla financial assets; less common for highly bespoke or emerging asset classes
Cayman Islands
  • Highly flexible no regulatory constraints on active management
  • SPC structure provides statutory segregation via separate cells
  • Preferred for discretionary strategy referencing; EU overlay required
Jersey & Guernsey
  • Locally unconstrained, but AIFMD applies where EU marketing or investors are involved
  • Protected Cell Companies available
  • Well-established in structured finance and alternative assets
Switzerland
  • No AIFMD applicability; discretionary management readily available
  • Leading hub for structured products and derivatives issuance
  • No statutory compartmentalisation each deal needs a separate SPV
Operational Ease
8.6
9.0
7.9
6.6
Rationale
Ireland
  • Strong CLO administration ecosystem; 2–4 week formation timeline
  • No Irish withholding tax on interest paid to qualifying non-resident investors, subject to standard Section 110 conditions
  • Excellent service provider depth, particularly strong in CLOs and structured credit transactions
Cayman Islands
  • Fastest formation, 1–3 weeks; lightest regulatory overhead
  • No WHT; well-developed offshore provider infrastructure
  • EU distribution requires structural overlay, adding cost and time
Jersey & Guernsey
  • 2–4 week formation; no WHT on note interest
  • Good service provider depth across both funds and structured finance
  • NPPR registration adds operational overhead for EU distribution
Switzerland
  • 3–6 week formation; timelines often driven by bank account opening and structuring complexity
  • 35% anticipatory WHT creates significant cash flow friction on notes
  • Securitisation SPV administration thinner than Zurich private banking depth
Product Breadth
7.4
7.0
5.6
6.8
Rationale
Ireland
  • Strong for financial assets and leveraged loans; dominant in CLOs
  • Less used on equity-linked and esoteric asset classes due to tax and structuring complexity
  • Less commonly used than Luxembourg for multi-asset or hybrid strategies
Cayman Islands
  • Very broad asset class acceptance with no statutory restrictions
  • Preferred for discretionary and fund-linked strategies
  • EU-facing distribution requires more complex structuring
Jersey & Guernsey
  • Broad asset class capability with strong use in alternative credit, infrastructure and insurance-linked structures
  • Best suited to UK-facing mandates; more operationally complex for EU distribution
  • No direct access to EU AIFMD marketing or loan origination frameworks without an EU AIFM structure
Switzerland
  • Strong track record in structured products and equity derivatives
  • Natural fit for EAM-linked AMC notes via Swiss bank channels
  • EU distribution and passporting require parallel EU-compliant structures or AIFM arrangements
Overall Score 41 / 50 39 / 50 33 / 50 32 / 50

Scored across five dimensions: regulatory framework, investor acceptance, structural flexibility, operational ease, and product breadth. Maximum 10 per criterion, 50 total.

Scores reflect Gilderstone’s assessment based on current regulatory position and market practice.
Jersey & Guernsey presented as a combined Crown dependency score (average of individual assessments).

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This scorecard is published by Gilderstone for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute and should not be construed as legal, regulatory, compliance, tax, financial, or investment advice, nor as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular jurisdiction, structure, or course of action. The scores, assessments, and commentary contained herein represent Gilderstone’s qualitative views at the time of publication, based on publicly available information, and are subject to change at any time without notice. They do not represent a complete or exhaustive analysis of any jurisdiction and may not reflect the most current legal, regulatory, or market developments. No reliance should be placed on this scorecard as the sole or primary basis for any structuring, investment, legal, or business decision. All persons and entities accessing this material are strongly advised to seek independent professional legal, tax, and financial advice appropriate to their specific circumstances before taking any action. Gilderstone accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising directly or indirectly from any reliance on the information contained herein. This scorecard is intended for professional and institutional recipients only and is not directed at retail clients or members of the general public. For full terms governing the use of this website and its content, see our Legal Disclaimer.

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