From OCORIAN

• Nine in ten family offices say their investment risk appetite will increase in the next 12 months
• Most say this is because they have held too much of their wealth in cash for too long

Family offices in the Caribbean are looking to increase their investment risk appetite over the next 12 months after holding too much of their wealth in cash for too long, new research from Ocorian, the specialist global provider of services to high-net-worth individuals and family offices shows.

Its study among family members, senior family office employees and intermediaries working for family offices in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Mauritius with total wealth of $8.75 billion found that almost nine in ten (89%) expect their investment risk appetite to increase over the next 12 months. Just over one in ten (11%) expect this to stay the same.

The most common reason given for this is a belief that many family offices have had too much of their wealth in cash for too long (78%). Around 67% cited that there is a feeling that inflation has peaked or will peak soon and the same number cited greater regulation around riskier or more specialist asset classes as a reason. Around two fifths (44%) said there is greater transparency now around riskier or more specialist asset classes and the same number said there is a feeling that markets have hit the bottom, and they are ready to recover.

The study with 25 family office members, employees and intermediaries in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Mauritius is part of a global study in 13 countries or territories including the UK, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

Unlike in larger financial hubs such as Switzerland and Singapore, Caribbean family offices are often deeply tied to regional businesses in energy, tourism and real estate and have historically favoured cash reserves to weather economic shocks such as hurricanes and currency volatility.  Bermuda and the Cayman Islands have long been at the centre of global family office and private wealth activity, but the trend now extends to the wider Caribbean. From Barbados to Jamaica, families are increasingly looking to diversify wealth away from cash and into new asset classes such as alternatives, private equity, and real estate.  

While these jurisdictions have traditionally provided safe harbours for wealth preservation, the mindset is shifting. Families are seeking to blend Caribbean resilience with global opportunity.

Simona Watkis, Head of Private Clients, Ocorian, said:

“Caribbean families have always been resilient, building their wealth through entrepreneurship, family businesses and a strong sense of legacy. For many years, holding significant cash was seen as the safest path in a region prone to economic and natural shocks. But today, families recognise that too much wealth in cash is no longer a shield but a risk in itself.

Working closely with families across the region, I see a generation ready to step forward. They are diversifying, looking to alternatives, private equity, and global investments, while still keeping the Caribbean at the heart of family strategies. This shift is about ensuring prosperity for the next generation and positioning Caribbean families confidently.”

Ocorian’s award winning dedicated family office team provides a seamless and holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities families face. Its service is built on long-term personal relationships that are founded on a deep understanding of what matters to family office clients. Its global presence means Ocorian can provide bespoke structures and services for international families no matter where they live.

Key services include formation and administration of family offices, HR support services, support with lifestyle and luxury assets, family governance, resident and relocation services and specialist support with immigration, visas, payroll, marine and aircraft crew management and financial reporting.

ENDS

NOTE:

Please note that the above is intended to provide a very general overview of the matters to which it relates and is provided for your convenience. It is not intended as legal or investment advice and should not be relied on as such.

* In June 2025  Ocorian commissioned independent research company PureProfile to interview 200 people in the family office sector including family members, full-time employees of family offices and specialist intermediaries such as lawyers, wealth managers, private bankers and tax advisers working for family offices of UHNW family businesses. They included 25 in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Mauritius with total wealth owned or managed of $8.75 billion 

 About Ocorian

Ocorian is a global leader in fund services, corporate and trust services, capital markets, and regulatory and compliance support. Ocorian has more than 30 years of experience in fund administration, accounting, investor services and regulated AIFM and depositary solutions and supports managers across all major asset classes of private markets such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure, debt and venture capital. Ocorian manages over 17,000 structures on behalf of 9,000+ clients, including financial institutions, large-scale international organisations, and high-net-worth individuals. To find out more, please visit www.ocorian.com.