Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
TOPIC
 / company

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) was established in April 1993 by merging the Office of the Exchange Fund with the Office of the Commissioner of Banking. The HKMA is responsible for maintaining monetary and banking stability, including maintaining currency stability within the framework of the Linked Exchange Rate system under which the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar.<br />
Residential buying sentiment may soften given the reduced rate cut outlook, according to Morningstar. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong property

Will a longer pause in rate cuts threaten Hong Kong’s property upturn?

A wait-and-see approach by Hong Kong homebuyers amid rising geopolitical uncertainties could dampen recovery in the sector.

Crime in Hong Kong

HSBC asks victim of credit card theft to pay HK$126,580 racked up by criminals

32
Cryptocurrency

Has Hong Kong laid the groundwork to become a world-leading crypto hub?

videocam
Interest rates

HKMA warns of interest rate uncertainty amid Middle East conflict

HKMA leaves city’s base rate untouched at 4 per cent, as HSBC, Standard Chartered and BOCHK keep prime lending and saving rates unchanged.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority maintained the city’s base rate at 4 per cent on Thursday. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Fintech

Exclusive | HSBC, Standard Chartered tipped to win Hong Kong stablecoin licences in 2 weeks

The approvals would mark a milestone in Hong Kong’s push to regulate stablecoins while positioning itself as a global digital asset centre.

4
Banking & finance

Hong Kong family offices take long view despite Iran war, HKMA affiliate says

Survey shows family offices expanding risk management while maintaining strong investment exposure to Hong Kong and Asia.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Fears over Exchange Fund discipline overblown: Hong Kong’s dollar peg architect

John Greenwood says drawing HK$150 billion from the fund is justified, calling the move a legitimate, long‑term investment.

The Hong Kong dollar is pegged against the US dollar between a range of 7.75 to 7.85. Photo: Felix Wong
Banking & finance

Hong Kong, Shanghai sign pact on digital trade finance, cross-border data link

‘This marks an important milestone in the collaboration on financial innovation between Shanghai and Hong Kong,’ HKMA’s Howard Lee says.

Banking & finance

HSBC signals intent to join Hong Kong’s stablecoin regime amid digital hub push

Georges Elhedery declined to confirm whether HSBC applied for stablecoin licence but indicated that discussions with regulator were ongoing.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Rare Exchange Fund withdrawal to pay for Northern Metropolis, other big schemes

Paul Chan has proposed transferring HK$150 billion from the Exchange Fund in the coming two years.

videocam
Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund is the government’s main investment arm and de facto sovereign wealth fund. Photo: Sun Yeung
Banking & finance

Why China’s rise as a ‘financial superpower’ could depend on Hong Kong

From the yuan’s growth as a global currency to IPO funding to tokenisation, the city is a linchpin in Beijing’s ambitions.

16
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong

Letters | Can Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund capture the growth of tomorrow?

Readers discuss the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s investment strategy in comparison with Singapore’s Temasek, Australia’s media bargaining mechanism, and Chinese New Year Cup ticketing.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: should the coming blueprint boost yuan’s global push?

Experts say Hong Kong has ‘distinct advantages’ that can support the country’s financial development amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong banks’ profit growth slows amid rising bad debt, slim margins

Profit growth slows to 7.3 per cent from 8.4 per cent a year earlier as bad loans exceed two-decade average, HKMA says.

The headquarters of Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC are seen in Central on March 23, 2025. Photo: Eugene Lee
US-China trade war

US Treasury chief warns of China’s push for digital asset dominance

Scott Bessent tells senators the US must pass the Clarity Act to counter Hong Kong’s ‘sandbox’ and maintain global financial leadership.

videocam
12
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Expanded Hong Kong scheme allows resale homebuyers to pay sellers directly

HKMA launches a direct transfer option for second-hand property transactions, replacing the traditional escrow system managed by law firms.

Fintech

HKMA launches quantum readiness and cybersecurity projects for banks in AI era

Banking regulator sets fintech road map with quantum index and measures to boost security, data quality and skills.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Banking & finance

No hack behind HSBC banking outage, as HKMA rules out cyberattack

Monetary authority signals tougher scrutiny of tech risks after shutdown, as it also moves closer to issuing stablecoin licences.

The HKMA said that HSBC’s widespread system outage last week was caused by an internal computer failure rather than a cyberattack. Photo: Sun Yeung
Banking & finance

Letters | As US dollar weakens, time to rethink Hong Kong dollar peg?

Readers discuss the dollar peg amid geopolitical volatility, an AI proposal for student well-being, public reactions to bus seat belts, and the viability of the cinema industry.

Banking & finance

China’s yuan finds firmer footing in corporate fundraising efforts

Uses of yuan borrowing broaden to include working capital and capex, supported by Hong Kong’s liquidity boost, bankers say.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong cannot take its Exchange Fund’s stellar year for granted

The fund posted a record gain last year, boosting the Hong Kong government’s fiscal health, but global headwinds must be heeded.

Purple tabebuia in full bloom at Tamar Park in Admiralty with International Financial Centre, which houses the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, in the background, on December 29, 2025. Photo: Eugene Lee
Banking & finance

Hong Kong regains lustre as stocks rally, property picks up

A booming IPO market, lower interest rates and the return of overseas visitors are boosting Hong Kong’s economy, stock market and Exchange Fund.

Photo: Google Maps
Interest rates

HKMA warns of risks as Hong Kong follows Fed in keeping interest rate unchanged

Analysts see the first US rate cut in June, with a falling Hong Kong interbank rate set to bring relief to borrowers.

Chinese culture

Reservations now open for new banknotes for Year of the Horse red packets

HSBC, Standard Chartered and BOC are taking bookings for the new and ‘good as new’ banknote exchange at certain branches from February 3-16.

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong’s Exchange Fund reports record earnings in 2025

The Exchange Fund’s full-year earnings jumped 51 per cent to HK$331 billion (US$42 billion), from HK$218.8 billion in 2024.

The Exchange Fund, Hong Kong’s war chest to defend the local currency, posted stellar returns last year. Photo: Antony Dickson
Banking & finance

Digital finance forum: AI, data to smooth trade-finance processes

Bankers from HSBC, Hang Seng Bank and ICBC Asia tout technology innovation to ease pain points for trade-finance clients.

Permanent secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Salina Yan speaks at the Development & Innovation of AI for Digital Finance forum at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Monday. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong

China’s central bank to support doubling of yuan liquidity for Hong Kong lenders

PBOC to increase yuan facility to US$28.68 billion and issue more sovereign yuan bonds to enhance city’s role as yuan hub, official says.

Banking & finance

How lower US interest rates can help Hongkongers amid steady local prime rates

Most new mortgages, many corporate loans are based on interbank rates, which will continue to fall, monetary authority’s deputy chief says.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement