Main features

Hong Kong maintains three tiers of deposit-taking institutions: licensed banks (LBs), restricted license banks (RLBs) and deposit-taking companies (DTCs). They are known collectively as AIs under the Banking Ordinance and are licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). The city has one of the highest concentrations of banking institutions in the world. At the end of 2015, there were 157 LBs, 24 RLBs and 18 DTCs. These 199 AIs maintained a network of more than 1,310 local branches. There were also 63 representative offices of banks incorporated outside Hong Kong.

HKMA

The HKMA’s main functions are to maintain currency stability within the framework of the Linked Exchange Rate System through sound management of the Exchange Fund, monetary policy operations and other means deemed necessary; to promote the stability and integrity of the financial system, including the banking system; to help maintain Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center, including the maintenance and development of the city’s financial infrastructure, and to manage the Exchange Fund.

The HKMA is an integral part of the government, but operates with a high degree of autonomy, complemented by a high degree of accountability and transparency, and can employ people on terms that differ from those of the civil service to attract personnel of suitable experience and expertise. It is accountable to the Financial Secretary, who is advised by the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee in control of the Exchange Fund.

The HKMA seeks to maintain a regulatory framework that is fully in line with international standards. The aim is to devise a prudential supervisory system to preserve the stability and effective functioning of the banking system, while at the same time providing sufficient flexibility for AIs to make commercial decisions. (SD-Agencies)

(This section is dedicated to the coming 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return and the 20th anniversary of Shenzhen Daily, which fall on the same day — July 1.)