St. Lucia’s online IBC Registry is very user friendly, designed to ensure that the user, no matter his/her computer competence will be able to perform any task provided by the system
What is the level of confidentiality?
The IBC Act provides for confidentiality of shareholders, directors and officers; only the Memorandum and Articles of association, the registered agent and office are public records. Filing of the registers of Directors, Shareholders and Beneficial Owners is optional.
What is the taxation policy for IBC in St. Lucia?
Effective July 1, 2021 all IBCs became subject to income tax and must file annual tax returns with the Inland Revenue Department. In addition, other amendments have been to the IBC Act. Please refer to the legislation page.
What sort of regulation has been put in place to preserve the integrity of the jurisdiction?
International regulators have commended the Government not only on the care with which each Act was crafted, but also the fact that collectively the regulatory framework provides a synergy not commonly found in international financial service jurisdictions. Importantly, our framework includes the Money Laundering Prevention Act, which meets the highest international regulatory standards designed to preserve and ensure the integrity of the jurisdiction.
What is the role of the private sector: Financial Centre Corporation (FCC)?
FCC is charged with the promotion of the jurisdiction and the development of information systems and other infrastructural requirements for the functioning of Pinnacle St. Lucia.
Do I have to travel to St. Lucia to hold my AGM?
Meetings of directors may be held in or out of St. Lucia. There is no requirement for local directors.
What legislation is in place in St. Lucia for the regulation of the industry?
The International Business Companies Act, the Registered Agent and Trustee Licensing Act (RATLA), the International Insurance Act, the International Banks Act. Those Acts are based on other known regional models and have been modified to ensure effective regulation. The most important regulatory Act is the RATLA, which makes provision for the regulation of all international financial service entities through effective regulation of the registered agents and registered trustees. This is a very significant piece of legislation as in some other jurisdictions the industry is not regulated by law, merely codes of conduct which do not have the sanction or effect of the rule of law. To view the legislation, please click here.
What is Pinnacle St. Lucia?
Pinnacle St. Lucia is the brand name and registered business name of the International Financial and World Investment Centre (IFWIC) of St. Lucia. IFWIC is a 100% Government owned company.
What can be done online?
Pinnacle St. Lucia is the world’s only public online International Business Company Registry. The system is public and used by clients, Local Registered Agents (LRA), International Professionals (who are overseas agents associated with the LRAs), the Registrar of International Business Companies, the Director of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority and various government agencies. Each user has the ability to carry out various functions based on their respective roles, and the registry system provides the necessary controls.
What level of security is provided for the online Registry?
Considerable effort and expense have been invested to ensure that the system is secure and that an unparalleled level of service is provided.
Our registry system guarantees user security and confidentiality. All online transactions are safe and supported by the best and latest technologies available, including the highest Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) data encryption security available worldwide.
Can an IBC be used for Forex Trading or Binary Options business styled as CFD/ FOREX (FX)?
Saint Lucia acknowledges that several international business companies are utilized for CFD/ FOREX (FX) trading. Saint Lucia does not currently regulate or licence Forex Trading or Binary Options business.
A contract for differences (CFD) sometimes referred to as Binary Options is an arrangement made in financial derivatives trading where the differences in the settlement between the open and closing trade prices are cash-settled. There is no delivery of physical goods or securities with CFDs. FOREX (FX) is a subset of CFD which deals with currencies. There are other variations of the arrangement.
CFDs allow for trade in the price movement of securities and derivatives, among others. CFDs are used to make price bets as to whether the price of the underlying asset or security will rise or fall. CFDs essentially allow persons to trade the direction of securities over the very short-term and are especially popular in FX and commodities products.
However, CFD/FOREX is NOT an investment scheme. It is a trading arrangement involving great risk!
Risk Warning: CFD and Forex trading are highly risky for your capital, if you invest in this product, you may lose some or all your money. Make sure you understand the risks involved and seek independent advice.
Can I move an IBC from another jurisdiction to Saint Lucia?
The legislation of St. Lucia allows continuation in St. Lucia of any IBC incorporated in any other jurisdiction. The current registry fee for filing continuation is only US400 (pro-rated each calendar quarter).
Can I move an IBC from Saint Lucia to another jurisdiction?
The IBC Act allows migration of any IBC, incorporated in St. Lucia, to any other jurisdiction.
How much does it cost to incorporate an IBC in St. Lucia?
The current registry fee for incorporation is US$400 (prorated by 25% each calendar quarter).