On 20 December 2023, the Financial Stability Board issued a report setting out revised policy recommendations to address structural vulnerabilities from asset management activities in relation to liquidity mismatch in open-ended funds. The revised policy recommendations supersede section2 of the FSB’s 2017 policy recommendations to address structural vulnerabilities from asset management activities. The revised recommendations … Continue Reading
On 16 August 2023, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published summary terms of reference for a thematic peer review on money market fund (MMF) reforms. The peer review will take stock of the measures adopted by FSB member jurisdictions to enhance MMF resilience in response to the FSB’s 2021 policy proposals. The FSB has also … Continue Reading
On 5 July 2023, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a consultation report on guidance for effective implementation of the recommendations for liquidity risk management for collective investment schemes. The report provides detailed guidance to support greater and more consistent use of anti-dilution liquidity management tools by responsible entities for open-ended funds (OEFs), … Continue Reading
On 12 May 2023, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published Good Practices Relating to the Implementation of the IOSCO Principles for Exchange Traded Funds. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are an increasingly popular investment vehicle, which offer investors exposure to underlying markets for stocks, bonds and other assets; portfolio diversification; and access to a … Continue Reading
On 6 April 2022, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a report, Corporate bond markets – drivers of liquidity during COVID-19 induced market stresses. The report analyses the work of the IOSCO working group on corporate bond market liquidity, which was tasked with analysing the corporate bond market microstructure, resilience and liquidity provision … Continue Reading
On 4 November 2021, the Investment Association published version 3.0 of its model discretional investment management agreement, in co-operation with Norton Rose Fulbright. The model agreement is a template agreement relating to the appointment of a discretionary investment manager by a client that has been categorised by the manager as a professional client. The model … Continue Reading
On 11 October 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a report which forms a key part of its work programme on non-bank financial intermediation. The policy proposals in the report aim to address systematic risk and minimise the need for future extraordinary central bank interventions to support the sector alongside enhancing money market fund … Continue Reading
On 30 June 2021, the Financial Stability Board issued a consultation report setting out policy proposals to enhance money market fund (MMF) resilience, including with respect to the appropriate structure of the sector and of underlying short-term funding markets. The report considers the likely effects of a broad range of policy options to address MMF … Continue Reading
On 20 November 2020, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a diagnostic report analysing the events that occurred in the money market funds (MMFs) sector during the market turmoil in March 2020. At the same time, IOSCO has also published a thematic review assessing the implementation of selected IOSCO recommendations issued in 2012 … Continue Reading
On 4 October 2019, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published the pro forma terms and conditions (the Terms and Conditions) applicable to licensed corporations managing a fund (or portion of a fund) that invests in virtual assets and meet the de minimis threshold [1] (Virtual Assets Fund Manager) . This follows the SFC’s earlier … Continue Reading
The latest issue of Global Asset Management Quarterly is now available here. In this issue we cover: Sustainable finance is a trend set to stay Brexit: latest developments Luxemburg update Ireland update The proposed Australian corporate collective investment vehicle SFC raises disclosure requirements for Green or ESG funds Mutual recognition of funds: Netherland – Hong … Continue Reading
An investigation by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has led to the halt and unwinding of an initial coin offering (ICO) by Black Cell Technology Limited (Black Cell) to the Hong Kong public on the basis that Black Cell potentially engaged in unauthorized promotional and unlicensed regulated activities. Black Cell promoted the token … Continue Reading
On 5 January 2018, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a circular setting out guidance relating to the implementation of changes to the paragraphs of the Code of Conduct for Persons Licensed by or Registered with the SFC (Code) relating to: (i) ‘Disclosure of monetary and non-monetary benefits’ (paragraph 8.3), and (ii) ‘Independence’ (paragraph … Continue Reading
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) recently issued two circulars to licensed corporations engaged in asset management business. The circulars were issued following routine inspection by the SFC of corporations licensed for such activity. Irregularities identified relating to private funds and discretionary accounts The first circular was issued by the SFC on 31 July 2017 … Continue Reading
In an effort to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as a leading asset management centre, on 23 November 2016 the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) launched a three-month consultation into proposals to amend the Fund Manager Code of Conduct (FMCC) and the Code of Conduct for Persons Licensed by or Registered with the Securities and Futures … Continue Reading
On 17 June 2016, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published an updated set of Frequently Asked Questions on “Offers of Investments” under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (FAQs). The FAQs now include a new Appendix 1 which provides guidance on collective investment schemes involving interests in real property, as well as updated answers to … Continue Reading
Currently, open-ended investment funds may be established in Hong Kong as unit trusts, but not in corporate form due to restrictions on capital reduction under the Companies Ordinance (CO). The Securities and Futures (Amendment) Bill 2016 (Bill), which was gazetted on 15 January 2016, seeks to amend the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) to introduce … Continue Reading
Our Hong Kong office has released a Learning & Development calendar for March – September 2015. Clients are invited to join a range of legal and personal development and business skills sessions. We are holding a session in June on Corporate governance in financial institutions.… Continue Reading
