The licensing and reporting requirements that asset managers and other financial industry participants must meet in order to be able to provide financial services have dramatically increased globally since the 2008 financial crisis. Singapore’s regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) is now widely recognised as the regulator that sets the highest bar in Asia for fund management and other licensed or regulated activities: it is acknowledged as Asia’s "gold standard".

New regulations came into effect on 7 August 2012 as the fund management licensing framework under Singapore law was amended to require fund managers either to be registered as a Registered Fund Management Company (“RFMC”) or to be licensed as a Capital Markets Services (“CMS”) license holder for fund management. Asset management firms must register as a CMS license holder if they manage in excess of SG$250 million. Below that level, they can register as an RFMC.

Gordian Capital takes the licensing regime under which we operate and our obligations very seriously and has developed a culture of compliance. Our Compliance Officer reports directly to the Board of Directors. As such, he is empowered with the necessary authority required to conduct & maintain a focused & professional compliance program. The compliance function is closely aligned with the business & operational heads and is a core part of the business decision process.