Hong Kong

Securities / Derivatives

SFC Asks Licensed Firms to Review Controls on Third-Party Deposits

By Editors | 01/06/2019

Senior management will be held accountable for failures to put in place effective policies, procedures and controls for handling third-party deposits and payments.

Enforcement

SFC Fines China Merchants Securities for Mishandling Client Money

By Editors | 31/05/2019

China Merchants Securities has received a second fine this week, this time for using funds from client trust accounts for purposes not allowed under the SFC’s Client Money Rules.

Market Infrastructure

SFC Warns Credit Rating Agencies of Model Risk

By Garima Chitkara | 30/05/2019

The SFC highlighted insufficient validation of credit rating models, inconsistencies between models and methodology, and inadequate validation of third-party models.

Securities / Derivatives

HKEX Launches First 2x Inverse ETF

By Editors | 29/05/2019

In its three year strategic plan unveiled earlier this year, HKEX said it would work to become a hub for the issuance and trading of ETFs in Asia.

Market Infrastructure

Hong Kong, China Agree to Cooperate on Audit Regulation

By Editors | 28/05/2019

Hong Kong’s Financial Reporting Council will be able to access audit papers located in the mainland “through an effective mechanism and clear procedures”.

Market Infrastructure

Regulatory Change Aggravated the CITIC-CLSA Culture Clash

By Peter Guy | 28/05/2019

Though the CLSA-CITIC fallout was characterised as a cultural clash, this narrative frays against the other challenges facing stock brokers and investment bankers, says Peter Guy.

Enforcement

SFC Fines China Merchants Securities for IPO Sponsor Failures

By Editors | 28/05/2019

China Merchants Securities was a joint sponsor with UBS – fined in March – for the 2009 IPO of China Metal Recycling, which was found to have fabricated financial information.

Securities / Derivatives

HK to Suspend Stocks on Disclaimer, Adverse Audit Opinions

By Editors | 27/05/2019

Trading in a Hong Kong listed company will be suspended if the auditor issues a disclaimer or adverse opinion for any financial year commencing on or after 1 September 2019.

Securities / Derivatives

SFC Investigation Disclosure Obligation Presents Challenge to Industry

By Manesh Samtani | 24/05/2019

The SFC has clarified aspects of the new disclosure obligation, but concerns remain over logistical and administrative burdens, say ASIFMA and Herbert Smith Freehills.