The number of alternative fund managers choosing to market their funds into the EU though Jersey using national private placement regimes (NPPR) continued to grow in the second half of 2019, according to the latest figures from Jersey's financial services regulator.

Data from the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) shows that, as at 31 December 2019, there were 183 Jersey-registered managers opting to market into the EU through NPPR, a figure that has risen 6% since June 2019 and by 9% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the total number of Jersey alternative funds being marketed into the EU through NPPR also increased to stand at 320, representing a 3% increase since June 2019 and an annual rise of 2%.

 Commenting on the figures, Joe Moynihan, CEO, Jersey Finance, said:

“Reflecting the period in the immediate run-up to the UK’s formal exit from the EU, these are really positive figures reinforcing just how attractive the private placement route to market is for non-EU managers wanting to access EU investor capital. We’ve seen a sustained and consistent rise in the number of alternative managers and funds making use of private placement through Jersey over the past few years. It is a tried and tested route that provides certainty and flexibility and that is cost-effective, and those qualities are hugely attractive – particularly in the current challenging market.”

The figures follow shortly after the publication of the latest quarterly statistics for Jersey’s funds industry. They showed that the total net asset value of regulated funds under administration in Jersey grew by 8% over 2019 to stand at £345.7bn, a new record high, with private equity and venture capital driving growth, increasing by 19% over the year.

 Tim Morgan, Chair, Jersey Funds Association, added:

"Our alternatives sector continued to perform extremely strongly in 2019, reflecting the ideal ecosystem we have created in Jersey, and our market access and distribution capabilities are very much a part of that. The fact that we’ve seen a growing number of private equity, venture capital, real estate,infrastructure and debt funds opt for a private placement route to market through Jersey is testament to just how well it works. We expect this figure to continue to rise as managers look for robust and straightforward solutions to help navigate the complex and uncertain global environment we all now find ourselves in.”