Virtual Banking
Li Ka-Shing Backed WeLab is the First Homegrown Fintech Granted Virtual Banking License
WeLab has been granted a virtual banking license by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”), becoming the first homegrown Hong Kong fintech company to establish a virtual bank. This brings the total number of approved virtual banking players in Hong
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Even This Fintech Unicorn Thinks Hong Kong’s Virtual Banking License is Too Restrictive
The virtual banking race is on for different regions across the globe, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has put its hat in that race with the virtual banking license, as part of a larger plan to turn Hong
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Neat Snubs Virtual Banking License and Picks Up The Money Lender License Instead
The fintech startup Neat, a digital banking alternative, has been granted a Money Lender’s License in Hong Kong, which marks their first step in their pursuit of global financial regulation. The move also marks Neat’s full turn away from virtual
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The First 3 Recipients of HKMA’s Virtual Banking License Have Been Announced
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today that three companies have been granted virtual banking licences: Livi VB, SC Digital, and ZhongAn Virtual Finance. As rumoured in our previous report, some of the companies granted licenses are joint ventures that include
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Neat Reveals One Key Problem With HKMA’s Virtual Banking License and Why They Won’t Bother
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)’s decision to set up the virtual license is often seen as a strategic move, if a tad overdue. Reportedly, the regulator saw over 29 applications, which rumour has it, includes companies like Ant Financial,
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HKMA is Rumoured to be Granting Virtual Banking Licenses to China’s Fintech Giants
Since its announcement in early 2018, HKMA’s virtual banking license has attracted strong interest from the industry to seek regulatory approval to operate a virtual bank. It is reported that within a short time frame the regulator saw over 29
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WeCash is Bidding For a Virtual Bank License In Hong Kong
Wecash, a Beijing-based fintech start-up has teamed up with Japanese financial firm ORIX and Hong Kong property developer SEA Group to apply for a virtual bank licence from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. George Zhi Zhengchun, 32, founder and chief executive of Wecash,
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Open Banking in Hong Kong to Fuel The City’s Fintech Ambitions
Open banking is gaining traction globally fueled by regulations like the EU’s PSD2 and the UK’s CMA Open Banking, a combination of banks’ internal efforts and market initiatives. Open banking refers to the use of open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
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Virtual Banks to Shake up Hong Kong Banking Landscape
Hong Kong is gearing up for the arrival of virtual banks, or financial institutions without physical branches. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is set to issue the first batch of virtual bank licenses as early as this year. The
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Rise of The Neo-Banks: Hong Kong Issues New Guidelines for Virtual Banks
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today a revised Guideline on Authorization of Virtual Banks (the Guideline) following the completion of a public consultation. During the public consultation, the HKMA received submissions from a total of 25 respondents, including
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