Coutts, the NatWest-owned private bank reputed to have the British monarch as its client, has raised its minimum client threshold from the previous £1 million to £3 million (€3.44 million, $4.05 million) in available assets (investments or cash savings). This shift reflects its strategy to focus on serving high-net-worth individuals. In effect from April 2026, […]
As mentioned in the previous parts of our series, Trusts serve as an essential tool for asset protection, tax efficiency and long-term legacy succession planning. Trusts are generally classified as either Revocable (can be changed by the Settlor) or Irrevocable (cannot be easily changed). A Revocable (or “Living”) Trust allows the Settlor to maintain control, […]
If the Trust Deed is the skeleton of the trust legal structure, the Letter of Wishes (LoW) is its heart, providing the intent and philosophy behind the Settlor’s decisions, acting as a personal guide for the Trustee. While the Trust Deed uses formal language to set the “rules of the trust,” a Letter of Wishes […]
The primary appeal of a trust is the asset protection and privacy it provides. Because assets held in a trust are no longer technically owned by the settlor, they are often shielded from personal creditors and lawsuits. Moreover, trusts generally bypass the probate process which is the public and often costly and slow court procedure […]
A trust is a fiduciary relationship built around three primary roles in which one party, the Settlor or Grantor, transfers legal title of assets -such as real estate, stocks, or cash- to a second party, the Trustee (individual or corporate) to hold and manage them for the benefit of a third party, the Beneficiary or […]
OHADA stands for Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires (Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa), was established in 1993 and consists currently of 17 member states, primarily in West and Central Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo […]
I sit on the terrace after a morning swim with my laptop on my lap, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of a sunny morning on one of the last days of this outgoing year. What was this “old” year like and what will the “new” year 2026 be like? Turbulent? Surprising? Or even shocking? In […]
Cyprus’s real estate market is thriving, with apartment prices in key regions showing remarkable growth over the past decade. The recovery from the financial crisis of the early 2010s has strengthened, supported by steady demand from both local buyers and overseas investors. Property values continue to climb, reflecting a vibrant market with significant long-term potential. […]
Gold has remained a cornerstone of wealth preservation and investment across the world for centuries. Traditionally, investors have preferred physical gold, such as jewellery, coins, or bars, valued for its tangibility, cultural significance and usability in emergencies. However, the rise of digital finance has introduced new ways to invest in gold offering convenience, liquidity, and […]
Kenya has been an economic success story in Africa. However, current tax regime is heavily reliant on income and consumption taxes and disproportionately impact low- and middle-income earners. Hence, there are calls for a progressive wealth tax that would shift part of the fiscal burden to the wealthiest households. Proposed models include tiered rates on […]
