Illinois Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) President and CEO Christy George, Cayman Islands Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce André Ebanks and IEDC Chairman John Atkinson discussed broad areas for collaboration.
Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce André Ebanks met with government officials, regulators and private-sector representatives in Chicago last week as part of an effort to strengthen economic and financial services relationships between the Cayman Islands and Illinois.
The visit focused on insurance, reinsurance, investment funds and professional services, while also exploring broader opportunities for cooperation between the two jurisdictions. The Chicago meetings followed earlier engagements in Washington, DC, with US government, congressional, regulatory and financial services officials.
During the trip, Ebanks participated in a breakfast event hosted by Cayman Finance and KPMG, where industry representatives discussed market trends and developments affecting the financial services sector. The premier said the discussions reinforced the Cayman Islands’ reputation as a trusted international financial services partner and highlighted opportunities for future collaboration.
“Chicago is an important market for the Cayman Islands because of its depth in offerings. Our engagements there reinforced that Cayman is viewed as a trusted partner, a financial services centre of excellence, and a country that is deeply committed to strong regulation, innovation and sustainable growth,” Premier Ebanks said. “Just as importantly, our discussions also opened the door to broader areas of collaboration with Illinois that extend beyond financial services and could support practical opportunities for both jurisdictions.”
A key stop on the itinerary was a meeting with Illinois Department of Insurance Director Ann Gillespie and agency staff. Discussions centered on insurance and reinsurance markets, regulatory cooperation and issues of mutual interest to both jurisdictions.
Ebanks also met with Illinois Economic Development Corporation Chairman John Atkinson and President and CEO Christy George. According to the government, talks extended beyond financial services to include potential cooperation in trade development, clean energy, health care operations, public transportation, education exchanges and infrastructure financing.
The premier’s schedule included meetings with several Chicago-based law firms that conduct business related to the Cayman Islands, including Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, Morgan Lewis and Mayer Brown. Discussions focused on market conditions, client needs and opportunities involving insurance, investment funds, corporate services and alternative investment structures.
The government said the visit was part of a broader US outreach effort aimed at maintaining and expanding international relationships that support the Cayman Islands’ financial services industry.
