Details of private and closed-ended schemes are included in the Private section.

Abacus are able to assist with input into the choice of fund scheme and domicile and liaise with the other service providers required for a scheme.

Authorised Schemes (retail investors)

Authorised Schemes are suitable for promoters requiring a retail investment product benefiting from a high degree of investor protection. Investors in authorised schemes are covered by a compensation scheme operated by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission.

Authorised Schemes are funds that are subject to detailed and prescriptive regulation and which are capable of promotion to the general public in the Isle of Man, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

International Schemes (institutional investors)

International Schemes can be targeted to institutional investors and to regulated intermediaries and are very flexible since few regulatory investment restrictions are applicable.

International Schemes are funds that are subject to limited regulation and which are capable of promotion outside the Isle of Man, subject to host jurisdiction rules.

International Schemes must be audited annually

Specialist Funds (sophisticated and professional investors)

Specialist Funds are aimed at institutional and sophisticated professional investors

There are no regulatory restrictions on assets classes, trading strategies or leverage however the Specialist Funds must receive investment advice or management services from a regulated entity.  A Specialist Fund must be audited annually by a qualified auditor.

The minimum subscription requirement is at least US$100,000 (or currency equivalent) and investors must have a net worth in excess of US$1m.

The Specialist Fund is ideally suited for institutional and sophisticated investors investing into alternative investment funds or hedge funds.

Qualifying Funds (sophisticated and professional investors)

Qualifying Funds are aimed at institutional and experienced non-retail investors who must certify that they are sufficiently experienced to understand the risks involved with an investment into the scheme.

The Qualifying Fund must appoint a promoter and a custodian who is either an Isle of Man licence holder or holds the equivalent in a jurisdiction with acceptable regulatory standards. A Qualifying Fund must be audited annually by a qualified auditor and there are specific director requirements.

There is no requirement for pre-approval of the scheme particulars so a Qualifying Fund can be launched quickly.

Related Services

Fund TypesPrivate Overseas Schemes