The Cayman Islands is discussing its bid for jurisdictional status at the United States National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ summer national meeting.

André Ebanks, Cayman’s premier, announced the plan for the summit in Columbus, Ohio, this week on his LinkedIn page, stating: “Importantly, the Cayman Islands has now submitted an application to the NAIC for Qualified Jurisdiction Status …”

The annual meeting brings together federal and state regulators, as well as international attendees to discuss matters affecting the United States insurance industry, such as annuity structures, property and casualty coverage developments, and market regulation.

Cayman has been working towards NAIC recognition for years. The United States is the source of most of its reinsurance business.

Bermuda already has qualified jurisdiction status alongside France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

If Cayman is successful in its bid it will be the first change to the NAIC’s list in 11 years.

Mr Ebanks said that a delegation at the meeting will support continued Cayman engagement on insurance and reinsurance with key American government, policy and financial services stakeholders.

The visit is part of Cayman’s ongoing efforts to enhance relations with US insurance regulators and other key stakeholders.

The meeting, which runs until Friday, also helps to support effective international regulatory co-operation and reinforce confidence in Cayman as a re/insurance hub.

The law firm Walkers has previously stated that Cayman’s position in the global reinsurance market could be fundamentally reshaped if it receives the status, signalling its growth as a reinsurance centre.

“While the road ahead may take years rather than months, it is expected that obtaining QJS would open new opportunities for growth in the international reinsurance space,” Walkers said.

Mr Ebanks became premier in May 2025, and is also Minister of Financial Services and Commerce.