Compliance Updates | Key Updates for Maintaining the CIMA Regulated Entities for 2026 Reporting Period

Overview:

The amendments and updates are including:

Regarding the Consolidated Annual Fees for Private Funds and Mutual Funds:

In accordance with the general industry notices from the CIMA, the amendments relating to mutual funds and private funds introduce consolidated annual fees, and fund annual return fees are merged into CIMA annual renewal fees, which refers to consolidated annual fees, and replacing the existing requirement for regulated funds to pay both an annual fee at the beginning of the financial year and a separate annual return fee (after the submission of audited financial statement and FAR) later in the year, and such amendment will take effect on 1 January 2026.

The fund annual return fees are merged into CIMA annual renewal fees from 2026 reporting year and onwards, and repeal the fee for submission of annual return relevant clause in the Annual Return Regulations simultaneously. The Private Funds and Mutual Funds are required to make the payment for annual fees at the beginning of the financial year, and do not need to pay a separate annual return fee.

CIMA advises all regulated entities affected by the 2026 fee increases that no penalties will be assessed until after 15 February 2026. Effective 16 February 2026, CIMA will commence applying penalties on any outstanding annual fee amounts, and regulated entities are expected to take the necessary steps to ensure full compliance within the prescribed timelines.

Besides, all regulated entities are friendly reminded that they are required to remit, at a minimum, the 2025 fee amounts by the statutory deadline of 15 January 2026. There will be penalties if they are not paid such amount before the given deadline, and the penalties shall be one twelfth of the amount (will be increased monthly pattern).

Regarding the Submission of Prudential Information Survey for Registered Persons:

In accordance with the general industry notices from the CIMA, all entities registered as Registered Persons are required to submit the Prudential Information Survey (ADR-046-75-02) for the 2025 calendar year, covering the reporting period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

The Prudential Information Survey is required to submit via the CIMA Regulatory Enhanced Electronic Forms Submission (REEFS) portal, and it will be available for completion from 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026.

The Prudential Information Survey is issued pursuant to the Monetary Authority Act (2020 Revision) and forms part of CIMA's ongoing supervisory programme, and it includes around forty questions and all questions are mandatory filed. The information collected will assist CIMA in assessing sector-specific activities, exposures and associated risk areas for Registered Persons operating in or from within the Cayman Islands. The data obtained will support CIMA's efforts to enhance the resilience, transparency and prudential soundness of the securities investment business sector.

All entities registered as Registered Persons are friendly reminded that the requirements of submission of the Prudential Information Survey is launched this year, and it does not replace the requirement for Registered Persons to submit the Annual Declaration Form (ADR-046-75) and AML Survey.

2026 Compliance Calendar for Cayman Islands Registered Persons