(CNS Business): For the fourth consecutive year the Cayman Islands has been voted top jurisdiction as a Specialised Finance Centre in The Banker magazine’s 2012 survey of international financial centres, beating all other financial centres globally in this category and increasing its lead in 2011 over second place Guernsey. New York retained the top spot as the overall IFC for 2012. London took second place and Singapore third in this year’s survey, reflecting the same positioning as in last year’s survey. The ranking of international financial centres is based on data from a range of sources, including financial markets indicators, economic potential and business environment factors.

The ranking focuses on the level of international business and the value offered to international institutions seeking to expand their international operations.

Cayman increased its lead position in the 2012 survey in the Specialised Finance Centre category, with a score of 49.909 compared to second place Guernsey, which was awarded 37.056, with the Bahamas in third place scoring 36.332. Cayman’s score last year was 42.59, again beating Guernsey into second place with 34.48. Last year’s third place was allocated to Cyprus, with 34.42. Cayman has thereby significantly extended its lead this year, considerably widening the gap between first and second place. 

Cayman Finance Chairman Richard Coles said that achieving such a high ranking underscores the superlative level of excellence offered by Cayman’s financial service providers.

“The Cayman Islands has once again proved itself globally as a leader in the field of specialised finance,” he said. “Being awarded the highest ranking by The Banker once is an achievement in itself; four times in a row means Cayman has set the bar extremely high for all other jurisdictions to follow and Cayman sets itself far above its competitors at the same time.”

Coles said that over the years the Cayman Islands has built a solid reputation for high quality professionalism.

“This high level of expertise coupled with an excellent relationship with the regulator translates into a nimble and innovative jurisdiction that is quickly able to meet market needs and is backed up by a solid regulatory framework,” he explained. “There are few jurisdictions globally that can match the Cayman Islands in these two important fields. It is indeed great news that Cayman’s achievements have been recognised by The Banker in this way.”

The Banker Magazine is part of the Financial Times Group, a globally recognised and respected finance publication.