Hong Kong Securities Regulator Issues Circular on Account Monitoring Measures

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued a circular outlining monitoring measures for account opening and client relationship maintenance. According to Odaily, this follows a review of account opening practices at 12 securities brokerages, which identified significant deficiencies. These include inadequate due diligence on account opening documents, acceptance of suspicious or forged documents, and weaknesses in managing cross-border agency relationships with overseas intermediaries. The SFC expressed concern over the potential misuse of client accounts for suspicious or illegal transactions, which could increase money laundering and terrorist financing risks. The commission has urged all licensed corporations to conduct internal checks as soon as practicable to detect any suspicious or forged documents used for account opening. Additional measures for licensed corporations managing accounts for mainland investors were also outlined. These include closing investment accounts opened with suspicious or forged documents, shutting down inactive accounts with zero balances, and requiring a written declaration from investors when opening new accounts. Furthermore, settlements and fund transfers must be conducted through bank accounts held in the client's name at qualified banks.