Isle of Man Fund Structures

For a printable schematic diagram of the current IOM fund structures please click here.

Funds sold directly to the general public

Authorised Scheme

• Formally authorised - most highly regulated
• IOM Manager and IOM Fiduciary Custodian/ Trustee
• Appropriate arrangements for asset management
• Benefits from an investor compensation scheme
• Can be sold directly to the general public in the Isle of Man and subject to recognition: UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Jersey and Guernsey etc
• Can be sold via the other sales routes

Funds aimed at retail investors or markets requiring a fiduciary depositary

Regulated Fund

• Regulated IOM fund subject to FSC pre approvals
• No restrictions on types of investor
• IOM Manager
• Regulated Fiduciary Custodian/ Trustee
• Flexibility on investment advisory/ asset management requirements
• Normally sold through Independent Financial Advisers

International Scheme (superseded by the Regulated Fund)

Not retail - minimum investment level below US$100,000

Qualifying Fund

• IOM Registered Fund
• Post event notifications to the FSC
• IOM Manager
• Appointed custodian
• Flexibility on investment advisory\ asset management requirements
• Investors must be "qualifying investors"
• Normally sold through Independent Financial Advisers
  • Regulated Financial Adviser Distribution
  • Regulated Promoter controlled distribution through acceptable financial advisers

Experienced Investor Fund – Qualifying Type (superseded by the Qualifying Fund)

Not retail - minimum investment level above US$100,000

Specialist Fund

• IOM Registered Fund
• Post event notifications to the FSC
• Administrator in IOM or acceptable jurisdiction
• No formal requirements for a custodian
• Flexibility on investment advisory\ asset management requirements
• Investors must be "specialist investors"
• Normally sold through Financial Advisers or direct to institutional investors

Experienced Investor Fund – Legacy Type (superseded by the Specialist Fund)

Professional Investor Fund (superseded by the Specialist Fund)

Unregulated Fund

Exempt Scheme

• Not directly subject to regulation
• Must have fewer than 50 investors
• Cannot be promoted anywhere in the world

Schemes established outside the IOM

Recognised Scheme

• Equivalent to an IOM Authorised Scheme

Exempt-type Scheme

• Equivalent to the unregulated IOM Exempt Scheme

Overseas Schemes

• Schemes established outside the IOM that are not Recognised Schemes or Exempt Type Schemes