在 2023 年舉行諮詢後，新加坡金融監管機構制定了針對新加坡註冊成立的單一家族辦公室（SFO）監管框架的最終計劃。
這些提案確定了基於類別的SFO許可豁免制度之標準，取代了迄今為止一直存在的逐案制度。SFO只需滿足資格標準即可：它們必須由同一家族的成員直接或間接全資擁有；他們的資金必須為或代表家庭成員、僅由家庭資助的慈善組織或（在有限程度上）為關鍵員工管理；他們必須在新加坡註冊成立；SFO及其基金工具必須與至少一家受新加坡金融管理局（MAS）監管的銀行建立並維持業務關係。
其中最後兩條規則確保未註冊的SFO將遵守實益所有權揭露要求以及受監管銀行的反洗錢（AML）檢查。所進行的客戶盡職調查和持續監控檢查將與銀行與客戶建立或維持業務關係時所進行的相同。如果SFO擁有外國註冊基金工具（FV），則FV必須在新加坡受MAS監管的銀行或符合金融行動特別工作組標準的反洗錢檢查司法管轄區的受監管銀行開設並維持帳戶。
SFO還必須有一名新加坡居民僱員，作為SFO和監管機構之間的永久聯絡人。此人必須主要居住在新加坡並擁有新加坡居住地址。
新的SFO必須在新加坡開始營運後14天內通知MAS並確認其符合資格標準的能力。這必須得到法律意見的支持，以證實他們根據新規則享有豁免的權利。之後，他們必須提交年度申報表，報告其管理的總資產以及每個日曆年擁有帳戶的新加坡銀行的名稱。
為證明SFO合規性，將為SFO提供一年的過渡期。同時，金管局將提供有關框架生效前的實施日期、修訂後的立法以及初次通知和年度申報表提交方式的更多詳細資訊。
Regulatory framework set out for Singapore SFOs
Singapore's financial regulator has set out its final plans for a regulatory framework for Singapore-incorporated single family offices (SFOs), following the consultation held in 2023.
The proposals fix the criteria for a class-based exemption regime for licensing of SFOs, replacing the case-by-case system that has been in place until now. SFOs need only meet the qualifying criteria. They must be wholly owned, whether directly or indirectly, by members of the same family; their funds must be managed for or on behalf of the family members, charitable organisations funded exclusively by the family, or (to a limited extent) for key employees; they must be incorporated in Singapore; and the SFO and its fund vehicle must establish and maintain business relations with at least one bank that is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
The last two of these rules ensure that unregistered SFOs will be subject to beneficial ownership disclosure requirements and to anti-money laundering (AML) checks by a regulated bank. The customer due-diligence and ongoing monitoring checks conducted will be the same as those performed when the bank establishes or maintains business relations with a customer. Where the SFO has a foreign-incorporated fund vehicle (FV), the FV must open and maintain an account with a MAS-regulated bank in Singapore or with a regulated bank in a jurisdiction that complies with AML checks consistent with Financial Action Task Force standards.
SFOs will also have to have a Singapore-resident employee who will serve as a permanent point of contact between the SFO and the regulator. This person will have to be primarily based in Singapore and have a Singapore residential address.
New SFOs must notify MAS and confirm their ability to comply with the qualifying criteria within 14 days of beginning their operations in Singapore. This must be supported by a legal opinion verifying their right to exemption under the new rules. After that, they will have to file annual returns reporting their total assets under management and the names of the Singapore banks with whom they have accounts in each calendar year.
A one-year transitional period will be granted for SFOs to prove their compliance. In the meantime, MAS will provide further details on the effective date of implementation, revised legislation and mode of submission for the initial notification and annual return before the framework comes into force.
Sources:
• Baker McKenzie
• MAS (consultation paper & feedback)