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Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
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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 />
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong economy

Should Hong Kong be using ‘war chest’ firepower for Northern Metropolis?

Rare HK$150 billion transfer from the Exchange Fund has sparked fierce debate.

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources

Hong Kong property

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

Crime in Hong Kong

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

Victim only discovered card theft a day later and was told by bank she failed to report it immediately, but finds friend’s case treated differently.

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The woman’s credit card was stolen on November 15, but she only realised it the next day. Photo: Getty Images
Cryptocurrency

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

With its regulatory clarity and superconnector edge, the city is drawing global crypto firms as it emerges as a premier Web3 hub.

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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.

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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.

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Hong Kong’s stablecoin initiative is part of efforts strengthen the city’s bid to become a global digital asset hub. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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.

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.

The collaboration with Hong Kong is expected to help Shanghai realise innovative applications in digitised cargo trade and finance. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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.

HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery poses for a photograph in Hong Kong on February 26, 2026. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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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.

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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.

Robin Zeng (centre), chairman of CATL, the world’s largest maker of electric vehicle batteries, strikes the gong at the listing ceremony in Hong Kong on May 20. Photo: AP
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.

Given mainland China’s current capital controls, the internationalisation of the yuan has largely proceeded through offshore markets. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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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.

The direct-transfer option reflects broader efforts to modernise payment practices in the property market, according to the HKMA. Photo: Eugene Lee
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.

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.

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.

The yuan is increasingly being used in global trade finance, while the US president seemingly favours a weak dollar to remedy trade imbalances. Photo: dpa
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.

Foreign-exchange trends, interest-rate shifts and supply-chain reshaping are all driving greater offshore yuan use, UOB banker says. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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.

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.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority kept its base rate unchanged at 4 per cent on Thursday. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

To celebrate the Year of the Horse 2026, three Hong Kong banks will offer brand-new and “good as new” banknotes for customers to put in red packets, from February 3-16. Participating bank branches will open at 8am for the first three days of the programme. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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.

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