Hong Kong

Securities / Derivatives

Hong Kong: Deutsche Bank IPO Sponsor Licence to Lapse

By Editors | 02/07/2021

Deutsche was meant to replace two departing senior employees and obtain SFC approval for their replacements but a “timing mismatch” occurred.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Asks Participants to Prepare for FRC Transaction Levy

By Manesh Samtani | 01/07/2021

Levies will be payable to the Financial Reporting Council by sellers and purchasers of securities, public interest entities, and PIE auditors from 1 January 2022.

HKMA Issues SPM on Supervision of Banks’ Insurance Business

By Editors | 01/07/2021

The HKMA’s enforcement standards with respect to insurance intermediary business of banks mirror those adopted by the IA.

Fintech / Regtech

HKMA Sets Out ‘Four Actions’ to Realise Regtech 2025 Vision

By Manesh Samtani | 01/07/2021

At the HKMA’s flagship regtech conference, Eddie Yue outlined the initiatives underway to promote regtech adoption, including to explore a corporate version of iAM Smart.

ESG / Sustainability

SFC Refreshes Disclosure Guidance for ESG Funds

By Ranamita Chakraborty | 30/06/2021

From January, ESG funds will have to disclose how they attain their ESG focus, referencing the ESG criteria, measurement methodologies, and benchmarks used.

Crypto / Digital Assets

HKEX Names Firms Piloting New Stock Connect Settlement Platform

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 28/06/2021

BNP Paribas, Citibank, CSOP Asset Management, Invesco, Northern Trust, State Street, Standard Chartered, BNY Mellon and HSBC will join the HKEX Synapse pilot.

Big Picture

New Report Explores Impact of AT/HFT on Hong Kong Equities

By Manesh Samtani | 28/06/2021

Algorithmic trading and high-frequency trading were generally not found to have a deteriorating impact on market liquidity or increase market volatility.

ESG / Sustainability

HK to Accelerate Plans for Mandatory Climate Disclosures – Report

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 28/06/2021

The HKMA’s Darryl Chan reportedly said mandatory climate disclosure requirements could arrive in Hong Kong as early as next year.

Capital / Liquidity

Hong Kong: ‘Stay Rules’ to Come into Operation on 27 August

By Manesh Samtani | 27/06/2021

Banks have to adopt provisions in financial contracts binding counterparties to temporary stays on termination rights that may be imposed by the HKMA during a bank resolution.