HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY

AML / KYC

FSI Takes Stock of Official Sector Response to Rising Financial Crime

By Manesh Samtani | 17/05/2020

There are trade-offs between expecting FIs to enhance or adjust their cyber resilience and AML frameworks, versus avoiding excessive burdens that could hinder the delivery of key financial services.

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.

Big Picture

Regulatory Initiatives to Address Culture & Conduct Risk in Banking

By Editors | 11/05/2020

In its latest annual Compendium, Starling draws on survey findings and commentary from regulators to identify ten culture and conduct trends in the banking sector.

Market Infrastructure

HKMA Proposes Mandatory Reference Checks to Stop Rolling Bad Apples

By Manesh Samtani | 08/05/2020

Under the scheme, prospective employees would be required to disclose employment records to recruiting AIs before a new employment relationship is established.

Enforcement

SFC Fines Mega International Commercial Bank Over Sales Practices

By Editors | 07/05/2020

Mega did not properly assess clients’ investment objectives, risk tolerance levels and knowledge of derivatives, or ensure the suitability of its fund recommendations for clients.

Hong Kong Set to Commence Fixed-rate Mortgage Pilot

By Editors | 06/05/2020

Under the six-month pilot scheme, participating banks will offer fixed-rate mortgage loans, capped at HK$10mn per loan transaction, and subject to a total aggregate cap of HK$1bn.

Market Infrastructure

HK Regulators Establish Green and Sustainable Finance Steering Group

By Editors | 05/05/2020

Initiated by the HKMA and SFC, the Steering Group will coordinate across other agencies and sectors to position Hong Kong as a global leader in green and sustainable finance.

Hong Kong Records Higher Negative Equity Mortgage Loans

By Editors | 30/04/2020

The negative equity loans are related to housing loans provided to bank staff or under mortgage insurance programmes, which tend to have higher loan-to-value ratios.