Hong Kong issues 53% more IPO banker licences to ease shortage

Businesstimes News
2026.04.13 08:47
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Hong Kong has issued 53% more IPO banker licenses, granting 43 new permits in March, indicating a recovery in the capital markets despite a high entry bar set by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). This increase follows a low in February but remains below the historical average. The SFC is focused on maintaining quality while encouraging firms to improve resource allocation. Current regulations limit bankers to five active mandates, creating a bottleneck for over 400 companies awaiting IPOs. The SFC's recent scrutiny and investigations into insider trading have added pressure on the industry.