Key Takeaways
- • Cayman ranked first in Ocorian's global family office growth survey, with 51% of respondents expecting it to see the greatest increase in family office demand for wealth planning over the next three years.
- • Singapore and Jersey tied for second at 42%, with Switzerland, the UAE and Hong Kong placing fifth, sixth and eighth; the British Virgin Islands placed 10th.
- • The survey reflects perception rather than confirmed statistics, based on interviews with 200 family office members and professionals managing more than US$100 billion in assets.
- • Cayman's 2025 independent-means residency certificates rose 83% to 117 from 64 in 2024, per a freedom of information request cited by the Cayman Compass.
- • Appleby partner Carlos de Serpa Pimentel cited Cayman's stability amid geopolitical volatility, its proximity to the Americas and its legislation, including a modern Trusts Act.
Summary
Cayman topped a global family office growth survey published by investment administrator Ocorian, with 51% of respondents saying the jurisdiction would see the greatest increase in demand from family offices for wealth planning over the next three years. That result was well ahead of Singapore and Jersey, which tied on 42% in the multiple-choice format. Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong placed fifth, sixth and eighth, while the British Virgin Islands was the only other Caribbean entrant, in 10th place.
The survey was based on interviews with 200 family office members and professionals managing more than US$100 billion in assets, and the Cayman Compass noted that it reflects perception rather than confirmed statistics. It is consistent, however, with data the newspaper obtained through a freedom of information request from Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman. In 2025, 117 independent-means residency certificates were granted in Cayman, up 83% from 64 in 2024. The comparison is not like-for-like: Jersey approved 37 high-value residency applications in 2025, and larger jurisdictions such as Switzerland and the UAE measure annual high-net-worth migration in the thousands.
Cayman's Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, André Ebanks, has repeatedly cited family offices as a sector with significant growth potential, although the Compass noted that the growth is being driven by factors outside Cayman. Ocorian attributed the trend to families rethinking how they structure assets as wealth becomes more complex, and to a preference for jurisdictions offering ease of doing business, convenient travel and compatible time zones.
Carlos de Serpa Pimentel of Appleby said Cayman may appeal as a safe haven during geopolitical turmoil and is more likely to attract individuals and family offices from the Americas than from Europe. He also pointed to wealth created by emerging digital asset businesses as a driver, arguing that Cayman's legislation and structures, including investment funds, foundation companies and trusts under a modern Trusts Act, appeal to those who have built their own wealth. He added that more family office business would bring jobs, government revenue and higher economic spending.
The survey was based on interviews with 200 family office members and professionals managing more than US$100 billion in assets, and the Cayman Compass noted that it reflects perception rather than confirmed statistics. It is consistent, however, with data the newspaper obtained through a freedom of information request from Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman. In 2025, 117 independent-means residency certificates were granted in Cayman, up 83% from 64 in 2024. The comparison is not like-for-like: Jersey approved 37 high-value residency applications in 2025, and larger jurisdictions such as Switzerland and the UAE measure annual high-net-worth migration in the thousands.
Cayman's Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, André Ebanks, has repeatedly cited family offices as a sector with significant growth potential, although the Compass noted that the growth is being driven by factors outside Cayman. Ocorian attributed the trend to families rethinking how they structure assets as wealth becomes more complex, and to a preference for jurisdictions offering ease of doing business, convenient travel and compatible time zones.
Carlos de Serpa Pimentel of Appleby said Cayman may appeal as a safe haven during geopolitical turmoil and is more likely to attract individuals and family offices from the Americas than from Europe. He also pointed to wealth created by emerging digital asset businesses as a driver, arguing that Cayman's legislation and structures, including investment funds, foundation companies and trusts under a modern Trusts Act, appeal to those who have built their own wealth. He added that more family office business would bring jobs, government revenue and higher economic spending.
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