Hong Kong

AML / KYC

HK Companies Registry Issues AML Guidance for TCSP Licensees

By Editors | 09/05/2023

New guideline seeks to help trust or company service providers devise and implement policies, procedures and controls for AML/CTF.

Capital / Liquidity

Hong Kong Financial System Remains Resilient: IMF Staff

By Editors | 07/05/2023

IMF staff said credit risk will “likely continue to materialise”, and banks should properly recognise and provision for credit losses, including those from Mainland property exposures.

Market Infrastructure

Regulators Announce 15 May Launch Date for Swap Connect

By Editors | 06/05/2023

Swap Connect will allow overseas investors to trade in Mainland interest rate swap contracts on CFETS via Tradeweb and Bloomberg.

Capital / Liquidity

Capital Has Not Left Hong Kong’s Financial System: HKMA

By Manesh Samtani | 04/05/2023

Deposits at Hong Kong banks grew by 1.4% in the year ending March 2023, despite some outflows from HKD assets in response to interest rate differentials.

Hong Kong Mandatory Reference Checking Regime Now in Force

By Editors | 04/05/2023

The regime requires banks to conduct mandatory reference checks to fill specified positions, to address the issue of ‘rolling bad apples’.

Enforcement

Former CITIC Bank Exec Engaged in Insider Dealing, SFC Says

By Editors | 04/05/2023

The former executive of China CITIC Bank International made HK$3mn from using inside information to trade shares of Bloomage BioTechnology Corporation.

HKMA Set to Implement New Rules for Trust Business

By Editors | 03/05/2023

Banks must report by 15 May on whether they and/or their subsidiaries carry on trust business in Hong Kong. The new rules commence on 1 June.

Enforcement

HK Court Freezes Assets of Former Morgan Stanley Manager

By Editors | 03/05/2023

The former manager used inside information from a deal Morgan Stanley was advising on to generate HK$4.2mn in profits for herself and a friend.

Fintech / Regtech

Hong Kong Virtual Banks Saw Narrower Losses in 2022 – Report

By Editors | 02/05/2023

ZA Bank and Mox Bank have the largest customer bases. None of the eight virtual banks are profitable yet, but their losses have mostly narrowed.