Hong Kong
Hong Kong proposes safeguards for contracts during resolution
Rules seek to protect some critical financial contracts during resolution without overly constraining resolution authorities
HKMA expands offshore renminbi liquidity scheme
List of banks provided with liquidity for offshore renminbi market-making grows, with extra measures designed to boost transparency
People: Philippines and Sri Lanka gain new monetary board members
Finance minister becomes member of Philippines’ monetary board; new joiner for Sri Lankan board; HKMA names executive director for financial infrastructure
HKMA opens office to stimulate infrastructure finance
Infrastructure financing facilitation office will be an “integral part” of the HKMA; designed to bring capital providers and project developers together along the ‘one belt, one road’
HKMA prepares cyber security ‘fortification’
Monetary authority seeks to build a framework for assessing cyber risks as well as providing training and building infrastructure for sharing “threat intelligence”
‘Challenging' year spurs diversification of Hong Kong's exchange fund
HKMA says it is accelerating its process of reserves diversification after it was hit by a "triple whammy" in all major asset classes in 2015
Hong Kong activity should weather higher rates – paper
Research published by IMF argues consumption and investment will “remain robust”, despite increase in interest rates in tandem with the US
Peter Pang retires as HKMA deputy
Pang, one of three deputy chief executives, retires after more than 10 years in the role; he will be succeeded by Howard Lee, but responsibility for research passes to Eddie Yue
Analysts see Hong Kong peg under scrutiny
Hong Kong dollar reached lowest level in nearly a decade this week, putting long-standing peg ‘under fresh scrutiny' and prompting fears of possible attack
US, China trends put Hong Kong in potential tough spot, warns IMF report
Housing prices have tripled since 2008 and could face correction as result of slowdown prompted by outside pressures
Zeti warns of ‘immense' challenges in 2016
Bank Negara Malaysia governor warns of potentially persistent threats to long-term growth at the AFF conference in Hong Kong, but sees a silver lining if policy-makers get it right
HKMA to raise countercyclical buffer by maximum in 2017
Hong Kong Monetary Authority will raise banks’ counter-cyclical buffers by the maximum amount in January 2017; risks still present in credit and housing market, Norman Chan warns
HKMA hikes rates as Asia takes Fed decision in stride
Hong Kong raises rates for first time in over nine nears as regional markets remain calm; Norman Chan warns of capital outflows and ‘possible shocks' ahead
HKMA promotes 'entirely paperless' e-cheques in PR push
Central bank to raise awareness through multimedia infomercials ahead of December 7 launch; e-cheques will lead Hong Kong into new era of electronic payments, says HKMA deputy
Iosco, Asifma officials urge early global co-operation on future rules
Joining forces early on would improve regulatory cohesion between countries, but post-crisis pressure on national rule-makers to legislate poses problems, it is suggested at Hong Kong conference
Hong Kong authorities look to bring shadow banks into resolution regime
Plans for resolution regime are advancing, with legislation expected by the end of the year; unregulated financial institutions can still be covered by the regime
IMF economists release study on LTV and DTI limits in six countries
Working paper studies the implementation and effectiveness of loan-to-value and debt-service-to-income limits in Brazil, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Poland, Romania and South Korea
HKMA introduces ‘major' piece of financial infrastructure to facilitate China flows
New routing and settlement service will underpin mutual recognition of funds initiative launched July 1; will enhance Hong Kong's role as ‘leading asset management centre', says Pang
IMF paper says ‘one size does not fit all’ with macro-prudential frameworks
Working paper examines use of macro-prudential policy in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden
Reform and the Shanghai Free-Trade Zone
Zhou Hanmin, vice-chairman of the Shanghai People’s Political Consultative Committee, describes how the creation of the Shanghai Free-Trade Zone represents China’s fourth phase of opening up
Chan wants Canadian firms to access China through HK
HKMA chief executive says Canada should ‘leverage on’ Hong Kong’s unique access to mainland capital markets in Toronto pitch
Second Hong Kong sukuk oversubscribed by 100%
Five-year Islamic bond hits home with investors, including central banks, pushing coupon below 2% – 35 basis points above US Treasuries with same maturity
HKMA's Chan praises cross-border funds initiative as liberalisation milestone
China's Securities Regulatory Commission and Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission announced Mutual Recognition of Funds initiative on Friday
China may have financial reforms backwards, economists argue
Interest rate liberalisation should take precedence over capital account opening, observers say at roundtable discussion in Hong Kong ahead of IFF China report release