Banks may be charged higher licence fees to run securities operations to level the playing field with brokerages which claim they are at a disadvantage.
Market regulators next month will consider a new fee structure that will see banks charged according to their trading volume.
Under proposals being considered by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the turnover-based levy on banks would replace a HK$35,000 annual fee, legislators were told by Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Au King-chi.
'The government will ensure there will be a level playing field between the banking and broking sectors,' Ms Au said.
Legislator for financial services Henry Wu King-cheong argued that brokerage firms were disadvantaged in competing with banks since they paid a fee on each member of staff rather than a flat charge.
Brokerage firms pay an annual corporate licence fee of HK$4,750, while each 'responsible office' incurs a fee of HK$4,740 and regular licensed staff are charged at HK$1,790.
A bank executive said imposing a levy on each bank employee was unfair as staff sold a large range of products and services of which securities trading was often a small part.