https://www.scmp.com/rss/521801/feed The latest news and top stories on Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau. A prominent Hong Kong based governmental body, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) is dedicated to developing and executing government policy on finance and treasury for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Its main areas of focus include maintaining Hong Kong’s status as a major international financial centre, upholding fiscal prudence and ensuring financial system stability. The FSTB is... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Middle East banks and wealthy investors are poised to increase their investments in Hong Kong amid geopolitical tensions to diversify their risk and capture growing opportunities in Asia, according to the head of InvestHK, the government agency tasked with attracting foreign investment. A couple of Middle East banks were in the process of setting up offices in Hong Kong with the help of InvestHK, said Alpha Lau Hai-suen, its director general. These additions would strengthen the city’s ties with... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3347050/middle-east-banks-eye-hong-kong-safe-haven-amid-iran-threats-investhk-head-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3347050/middle-east-banks-eye-hong-kong-safe-haven-amid-iran-threats-investhk-head-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:30:18 +0000 Lam Ka-sing,Connor Mycroft Lam Ka-sing,Connor Mycroft Hong Kong’s licensed moneylenders will face strict new regulations starting in August, including debt-servicing ratio caps for low-income earners and a complete ban on using loan referees – a move lawmakers have said should reduce harassment by debt collectors. Lawmakers also said on Saturday that the measures outlined by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau would help curb most illicit loans, while one legislator called for further regulation of the moneylending industry. The bureau... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346599/hong-kong-tighten-moneylending-rules-tackle-debt-collector-harassment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3346599/hong-kong-tighten-moneylending-rules-tackle-debt-collector-harassment?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 09:45:31 +0000 Kevin Li Kevin Li Hong Kong and Singapore have crossed swords over their ambitions to be the world’s gold trading hub, but experts say the city holds an advantage over its Southeast Asian rival, citing its access to mainland China’s robust market. As Hong Kong pushes ahead with measures to create an ecosystem for gold trading – highlighted as recently in the government’s budget late last month – Singapore has reportedly been courting global heavyweights. In response to the South China Morning Post’s queries a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345867/hong-kong-singapore-square-race-become-worlds-gold-trading-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345867/hong-kong-singapore-square-race-become-worlds-gold-trading-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:00:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s resilience and evolution as a global financial centre was shining brightly this week when important milestones were unveiled at an international business gathering in the city. The community should celebrate the “unprecedented achievements” and prepare to work to ensure the momentum continues in an era of great geopolitical uncertainty. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu opened the 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) on Monday by unveiling a game-changing deal with Shanghai to turn Hong... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3341403/hong-kongs-future-financial-centre-looks-golden?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3341403/hong-kongs-future-financial-centre-looks-golden?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 23:15:09 +0000 Willa Wu Willa Wu Hong Kong authorities are expected to announce next month the results of their investigation into a bottled water scandal that rocked the city and take disciplinary action against those officials involved after confirming that the probe has been completed. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, which set up a task force to probe the scandal that emerged in August, on Tuesday said both the review of the government’s procurement system and related disciplinary investigation had been... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338190/hong-kong-set-unveil-results-disciplinary-action-after-bottled-water-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338190/hong-kong-set-unveil-results-disciplinary-action-after-bottled-water-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 11:44:20 +0000 Aileen Chuang Aileen Chuang Hong Kong has signed a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with Norway, marking its fourth such pact this year as the city steps up efforts to strengthen its appeal as an international business and investment hub. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu signed the agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Norway in Beijing on Tuesday. Hui had visited Norway to discuss the matter in June. Under the agreement, Hong Kong residents who... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3336653/hong-kong-signs-tax-treaty-norway-marking-fourth-such-agreement-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3336653/hong-kong-signs-tax-treaty-norway-marking-fourth-such-agreement-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:47:08 +0000 Aileen Chuang Aileen Chuang A unit of PetroChina Investment (Hong Kong) has become the first approved company to reincorporate in the city under a new law, with the government highlighting the high number of inquiries it has received from companies seeking to redomicile. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) said on Wednesday that the PetroChina Investment unit received a certificate of re-domiciliation from the Companies Registry. This marks the first such case after the government introduced the company... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3329975/petrochina-unit-first-reincorporate-hong-kong-under-re-domiciliation-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3329975/petrochina-unit-first-reincorporate-hong-kong-under-re-domiciliation-law?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:43:22 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025 in November aims to be an all-in-one marketplace for global cutting-edge technologies, with international buyers from areas including the Middle East and Global South coming to the city to shop for opportunities, according to senior InvestHK officials. Last year’s event was almost like a “study trip” for some delegations, according to King Leung, global head of financial services, fintech and sustainability at the government agency, which is responsible for attracting... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3329286/hong-kong-fintech-week-expects-investment-action-serious-buyers-investhk-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3329286/hong-kong-fintech-week-expects-investment-action-serious-buyers-investhk-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:30:16 +0000 Aileen Chuang Aileen Chuang Hong Kong is widening its appeal to global family offices, as it shapes new policies designed to meet emerging trends in the sector, according to Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu. The city’s “robust legal system, world-class financial infrastructure, strategic proximity to the mainland and competitive and simple tax regime” made it an “ideal destination for family offices, including those from Africa, seeking to establish or expand their operations”, the... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3328251/hong-kong-revamps-family-office-rules-widen-global-appeal-targets-220-more-2028?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3328251/hong-kong-revamps-family-office-rules-widen-global-appeal-targets-220-more-2028?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:30:25 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au The three universities in Hong Kong applying to set up the city’s third medical school have “very different” financial proposals, the health minister has said, adding authorities are studying how sustainable these plans are. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau also said on Friday that a dedicated task group had already studied the proposals submitted by the three universities, including the curriculum as well as staff and student recruitment plans, with capital requirements and financial... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326951/hong-kong-studying-financial-proposals-citys-third-medical-school-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326951/hong-kong-studying-financial-proposals-citys-third-medical-school-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:53:06 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), operator of Asia’s third-largest stock market, has become one of the world’s largest fundraising platforms for the new energy sector, thanks to a slew of listing reforms to promote the city as a green finance hub, according to a government official. “There has been an active stream of listings of electric vehicle [makers and companies in the] EV supply chain, energy storage and hydrogen energy on the Hong Kong stock exchange,” said Salina Yan Mei-mei,... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3325033/hkex-reforms-turned-city-worlds-top-fundraising-hub-ev-makers-official?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3325033/hkex-reforms-turned-city-worlds-top-fundraising-hub-ev-makers-official?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:35:00 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang The Hong Kong government is lowering the guaranteed coupon rate for its 10th batch of Silver Bonds offered to the city’s senior citizens, as anticipation builds that the US Federal Reserve will commence its next cycle of interest rate cuts on September 18. Up to HK$50 billion (US$6.4 billion) of Silver Bonds will go on sale next month with a guaranteed annual coupon of 3.85 per cent, down from 4 per cent in the batch sold in September last year. Three-year bonds will go on sale from 9am on... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3323676/hong-kong-reduces-coupon-10th-batch-silver-bonds-ahead-feds-expected-rate-cut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3323676/hong-kong-reduces-coupon-10th-batch-silver-bonds-ahead-feds-expected-rate-cut?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:00:19 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong’s treasury chief has dismissed calls to set up a separate commission of inquiry to investigate officials’ roles in a bottled water procurement scandal, arguing that the government auditor will be able to identify lapses in a “professional and independent” manner. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu, the head of a new task force that is reviewing the case, on Sunday defended the adequacy of having the Audit Commission conduct the investigation and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3322966/no-separate-inquiry-needed-probe-hong-kong-water-scandal-treasury-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3322966/no-separate-inquiry-needed-probe-hong-kong-water-scandal-treasury-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2025 06:22:26 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao Vanuatu is seeking closer ties with Hong Kong to support its ambitions in digital finance and economic diversification as the South Pacific island nation positions itself as a gateway for collaboration between the Global South and Asia. The country is entering a new era of economic stability with a renewed focus on infrastructure, digital transformation and international commercial engagement, according to Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo Rasou. “We’ve gone through years of [political]... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3319752/vanuatu-looks-hong-kong-support-digital-finance-plans-economic-transformation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3319752/vanuatu-looks-hong-kong-support-digital-finance-plans-economic-transformation?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jul 2025 23:30:08 +0000