Hong Kong

AML / KYC

SFC Fines BOCOM International Securities for “Serious” Breaches

By Editors | 20/04/2020

The brokerage did not have effective controls to identify third party deposits, and “extensive deficiencies” were found in its handling of margin lending and margin calls.

AML / KYC

Hong Kong: SME Director Gets 44 Months Jail for Loan Fraud

By Editors | 20/04/2020

The SME director was sentenced for conspiring to defraud five banks, the Trade and Industry Department, and the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation.

HKMA, Banks to Launch Debt Payment Holiday Scheme for Corporates

By Editors | 18/04/2020

All corporate customers with annual turnover under HK$800mn and with no outstanding loan payments more than 30 days overdue are eligible for the principal payment holiday.

Securities / Derivatives

SFC Seeks Certainty on ETF Market Making Continuity

By Editors | 18/04/2020

ETF management companies should procure more than one market maker, or secure arrangements for alternative market makers to quickly step in if there is a disruption.

Hong Kong Expands 100% Loan Guarantee Scheme Ahead of Launch

By Editors | 17/04/2020

Administered by HKMC Insurance, the Special 100% Loan Guarantee Scheme has been expanded to total guarantees of HK$50bn, alongside a doubling of the per-enterprise loan limit.

AML / KYC

SEBI Seeks Details on UBOs of Chinese, Hong Kong FPIs

By Editors | 16/04/2020

Prompted by the PBOC raising its stake in HDFC to over 1%, SEBI is reportedly concerned that Indian companies may face takeover threats from Chinese investors.

Fintech / Regtech

‘Mox Bank’ Becomes Latest Virtual Bank to Launch HK Pilot

By Editors | 12/04/2020

‘Mox Bank’ – backed by Standard Chartered, PCCW, HKT and Trip.com – has become the third virtual bank to launch pilot services in Hong Kong.

Securities / Derivatives

SFC Raises Concerns with Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading

By Editors | 10/04/2020

Brokers reported that more than 60% of clients who engage in leveraged foreign exchange trading made net trading losses, some in excess of HK$1mn.

Capital / Liquidity

HKMA Reduces AIs’ Regulatory Reserve Requirement

By Editors | 08/04/2020

The regulatory reserve release should be used to support customers impacted by Covid-19, and not to distribute dividends, buy back shares or pay bonuses.