HKMA on Licensing for Banks Under Regime for Insurance Intermediaries
HKMA issued a circular to all authorized institutions on the explanatory note, issued by IA of Hong Kong, on licensing requirements for banking sector under the regulatory regime for insurance intermediaries. The regulatory regime for insurance intermediaries is an activity-based regime that came into operation on September 23, 2019. Under the regime, any person carrying on a regulated activity under the Insurance Ordinance is required to be licensed by IA. The explanatory note provides guidance on the extent to which certain insurance-related banking activities would be regarded as regulated activities and thus authorized institutions and their staff would be required to be licensed under the Insurance Ordinance.
The note contains a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to illustrate the relevant requirements. The FAQs are not intended to be exhaustive and they will be kept under review and updated when necessary. The explanatory note has been prepared in consultation with HKMA, Hong Kong Association of Banks, Private Wealth Management Association, and DTC Association. Authorized institutions should study the explanatory note carefully and put in place adequate policies, procedures, and controls as well as provide sufficient training to their staff to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements under the Insurance Ordinance.
Keywords: Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, Banking, Insurance, Regulatory Regime, Insurance Intermediaries, Insurance Ordinance, Guidance, FAQ, IA, HKMA
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