A trust is a powerful and flexible instrument for succession planning, asset protection, and the long-term stewardship of family wealth and business interests. A meticulously structured trust separates legal ownership from beneficial enjoyment, ensures continuity across generations, and provides a robust framework for managing family governance, privacy, and the complexities of cross-border assets Hong Kong has firmly established itself as a premier jurisdiction for trusts, underpinned by its well-regarded common law legal system, progressive trust legislation, and a robust ecosystem of professional service providers. Its strategic position at the heart of Asia further enhances its attractiveness to international families and investors seeking a stable, sophisticated, and reliable environment for wealth structuring and succession planning.
At Zetland, we support families, entrepreneurs, and investors through the full lifecycle of trust services and we are licensed to act as corporate trustee. From initial planning and trust setup to ongoing administration, we ensure the settlor’s wishes are clearly defined and effectively carried out.
This involves defining the trust’s purposes and beneficiaries, establishing clear decision-making authorities, and appointing the most suitable trustees (if and when applicable), protectors, advisors, and investment managers. We also assist in documenting clear policies for distributions and investments, ensuring that all records are maintained and comprehensive for relevant accounting and auditing. We work in closely with legal and tax advisors to ensure full compliance with all regulations and reporting obligations, following strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards at every stage.
The integrity and effectiveness of a trust depend on disciplined and transparent administration. In Hong Kong, the legal framework supports a wide range of family and commercial trust arrangements, offering flexibility and privacy, with no public register of trusts. Zetland provides administration services to ensure your trust is managed efficiently and in line with its purpose.
We begin by designing the trust structure and coordinating with legal counsel to prepare key documents, including the trust deed, letters of wishes, and provisions for appointments and retirements. These documents are tailored to reflect the settlor’s intentions, including any reserved powers. The appointment of a suitable trustee—corporate or individual—is a critical step, along with consideration of protector and investment committee roles, all subject to our rigorous KYC and AML procedures. We also manage banking and custody arrangements, from account opening and investment policy documentation to coordination with custodians, ensuring clear separation between trust assets, underlying entities, and personal holdings.
Many trusts hold assets through underlying companies, which we fully administer by maintaining statutory registers and governance records. We manage distribution policies, beneficiary communications, approval workflows, meeting minutes, and document retention. Where needed, we coordinate annual accounts and audits. For international families, we work with advisors to address cross-border tax and reporting requirements, including economic substance and CRS/FATCA compliance. This ensures the trust remains effective, well-governed, and aligned with the settlor’s intent.
Zetland Fiduciary Group operates a global network of offices to support clients across key international financial hubs. Whether you are seeking guidance on company formation, trust administration, accounting, or cross-border transactions, our local experts in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and London are ready to assist.
Contact any of our offices directly for tailored advice and seamless service.