Trust Services - Introduction

The Trusts & Trustees Act of 2004 was an important development in the history of trust law in Malta. It introduced rules of law which make Malta an attractive location for the administration of trusts, both Maltese Law Trusts as well as foreign Law Trusts.

HSBC Bank is authorised to act as Trustee by the Malta Financial Services Authority, and we are able to service international clientele by tailoring trust solutions to their specific needs.

HSBC is a global organization having a considerable number of years experience in Trusts, this experience will enable us to better assist you in setting up and managing the Trust.

What is a Trust?

A trust, in very simple terms, is a device by which one or more persons (called the settlor/s) could transfer assets / property to another person or entity (called the trustee/s) who will be responsible for managing and distributing these assets for the benefit of someone else (called the beneficiary(ies). The agreement takes the form of a legal written document known as the trust deed.

The fiduciary duties and powers of the trustees are governed by law and by the trust deed itself.

The deed provides direction by the settlor to the trustee for the management of the trust assets and on how to distribute the assets during the lifetime of the trust or when it comes to an end.

A trust under Maltese law, continues to exist up to 100 years, unless brought to end earlier on the happening of an event/s as stipulated in the trust deed or on the full distribution of the assets under management by the trustee to beneficiaries. Trusts created for a Charitable purpose are not subject to this time limitation.

Since the relationship that exist between the settlor and trustee is fundamentally a matter of trust, the choice of trustee is one of the most important decisions a settlor needs to take. HSBC is a well established organisation both locally and internationally with assets in excess of $1,277 billion and over 100 years experience in the trust business.