Hong Kong

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Moves to Enhance Liquidity of Exchange Traded Products

By Editors | 18/05/2020

A new spread table will reduce tick sizes and spreads for ETPs, while new market making obligations create a more competitive liquidity providing environment.

SFC to Get Another Three Year Term from CEO Ashley Alder

By Editors | 18/05/2020

Alder was expected to step down in September, but has decided to stay on to ensure regulatory clarity through the current period of “exceptional stress”.

AML / KYC

HK Police Arrest Three in HK$54m Money Laundering Case – Report

By Editors | 17/05/2020

Money stolen through telephone and online scams was laundered through at least three layers of bank accounts in Hong Kong within hours before being funnelled out of the city.

Securities / Derivatives

Hong Kong Lowers Transaction Costs for ETF Market Makers

By Editors | 16/05/2020

An amendment waives stamp duties on primary market stock transfers involving ETF market makers’ activities to create and redeem ETF units.

Enforcement

SFC Declines to Take Action Against HSBC for No-dividend Decision

By Editors | 15/05/2020

Some investors in HSBC alleged the bank failed to safeguard their interests. Others questioned whether the bank’s discussions with the Bank of England were disclosed in a timely manner.

Market Infrastructure

China Issues Guidelines on Greater Bay Opening Up

By Editors | 15/05/2020

The PBOC will pilot cross-border PE and VC investments and explore the establishment of a futures exchange in Guangzhou and an international commercial bank to serve Greater Bay Area.

ESG / Sustainability

Hong Kong Launches New Certification Scheme for ESG Funds

By Editors | 14/05/2020

The new green finance certification scheme for ESG funds is an extension of the HKQAA’s certification service for green funds, launched in September 2019.

Market Infrastructure

HKMA Launches ‘Greenness’ Assessment Framework

By Editors | 13/05/2020

Around 50 AIs will initially be expected to complete the assessment for end-2019 within 12 weeks. Other AIs are encouraged to reflect on their readiness to address climate and environmental risks.

Capital / Liquidity

HKMA Support Measures and the Impact to the Banking Industry

By Pierre Latrobe | 12/05/2020

Pierre Latrobe at Mazars discusses recent HKMA initiatives taken in response to Covid-19 and their implications for Hong Kong banks, highlighting credit risk as a growing threat.