Security Alert
Amid the rising concern over fraud attempts through impersonation of reputable institutions, Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) and HKICL Services Limited (HSL) would like to remind you to stay alert of any suspicious correspondence appears to be issued by HKICL and/or HSL. In principle, HKICL and/or HSL will only request payments from business partners to whom it has business relationship. HKICL and/or HSL will NOT claim to have statutory/regulatory power to request payments from others. You are advised to contact HKICL and/or HSL upon notice of any suspicious communication.
News in 2023
「转数快ｘ中小企」研讨会及转数快五周年
香港金融管理局（金管局）今天（9月26日）举办了「转数快x中小企」研讨会，共吸引了超过130位中小企业、商会、银行及储值支付工具营运商的代表参与。是次研讨会主题为「转数快x中小企：同创新‧增效益‧拓商机」，以促进业界与中小企的交流，探讨转数快在中小企支付领域的重要性和发展机遇。
金管局副总裁李达志致欢迎辞时表示：「今年9月是转数快推出五周年，我们见证着转数快在个人对个人支付的迅速发展，并广受市民欢迎。我们期望转数快的使用能够推进至另一个里程碑，在企业层面获更广泛使用。中小企是香港经济的重要一环，在构建香港国际金融中心上扮演重要角色。我们希望透过促进中小企采用转数快，增强它们的竞争力，并协助它们融入电子支付的时代，这也是金管局推动普及金融的目标之一。」
研讨会的专题讨论环节探讨了中小企业在应用转数快时的挑战，及银行如何提供不同的转数快收付方案，以协助中小企业采用电子支付。另外，研讨会亦邀请了两间中小企业，分享它们使用转数快提升公司营运效率及减省行政工作的经验，以及转数快实时到帐的特性如何增加公司的现金流，令资金调拨更灵活。
转数快推出五周年，金管局联同21间银行及储值支付工具营运商（附件一）推出了不同优惠予企业及个人客户，其中九间银行及储值支付工具营运商今天于研讨会现场设置展览，即场介绍转数快收付方案及提供优惠予中小企客户。负责营运转数快的香港银行同业结算有限公司亦会于今年10月豁免银行及储值支付工具营运商在处理企业及商户经转数快作实时收付的结算费用，以鼓励它们回馈中小企业及商户，吸引更多企业采用转数快，实现同创新、增效益及拓商机的目标。
另外，李达志在研讨会上提及，金管局与泰国央行的合作取得成果，转数快与泰国「PromptPay」互联的计划预期于今年底前推出，届时香港居民可以在泰国使用转数快进行零售支付，而泰国旅客亦可在香港使用泰国的快速支付系统「PromptPay」付款给香港商户，为两地旅客提供多一个安全便捷的支付选择及崭新的支付体验。
转数快于今年8月录得1,281万个帐户登记，平均每年增长36%。转数快的使用量亦持续上升，每日港元实时交易量及交易金额，于过去五年平均每年增长分别达71%及41%。今年8月，转数快平均每天处理125万宗港元实时交易，相当于99亿港元。
香港金融管理局副总裁李达志在「转数快x中小企」研讨会上致欢迎辞。
香港金融管理局（金管局）副总裁李达志（前排左三）、金管局助理总裁（金融基建）鲍克运（前排左二）、香港银行同业结算有限公司行政总裁邓月容（前排右二），以及参与展览的银行及储值支付工具营运商代表出席研讨会。
（左起）研讨会的专题讨论由香港金融管理局助理总裁（金融基建）鲍克运主持，并邀请了香港上海汇丰银行有限公司常务总监兼中小企业务策略及创新主管刘冁锋、中国银行（香港）有限公司工商金融部助理总经理刘浩勤及香港总商会中小型企业委员会副主席苏裕康博士参与讨论。
两间中小企业代表，曲奇阿婶联合创办人冯思桦（右二）及FreightAmigo联合首席执行官兼创办人谢凯澄（右一），在研讨会上分享她们使用转数快的体验。此环节由香港银行同业结算有限公司行政总裁邓月容主持（左一）。
香港金融管理局（金管局）副总裁李达志（左二）、金管局助理总裁（金融基建）鲍克运（左一）及香港银行同业结算有限公司行政总裁邓月容（右一）参观银行及储值支付工具营运商于研讨会现场设置的展覧。
研讨会共吸引了超过130位中小企业、商会、银行及储值支付工具营运商的代表参与。
资料来源: 香港金融管理局新闻稿 (请按此)。
News in 2022
金管局欢迎信贷资料平台开始运作
香港金融管理局（金管局）欢迎香港银行公会、香港有限制牌照银行及接受存款公司公会和香港持牌放债人公会（统称「行业公会」）今日（11月28日）有关信贷资料平台开始运作的联合公告。
金管局一直与行业公会紧密合作，透过信贷资料平台引入多于一家个人信贷资料服务机构，以提升香港个人信贷资料服务机构的服务水平，并减低现时因市场只有一家商业营运的服务提供者而衍生的营运风险，特别是单点失误的风险。
作爲「金融科技2025」策略下发挥数据基建潜能和推动香港金融科技发展的一项重要举措，多家个人信贷资料服务机构模式的发展获金管局全力支持。金管局衷心感谢行业公会、平台营运机构、平台服务支援方及其他持份者为推出信贷资料平台和落实多家个人信贷资料服务机构模式付出巨大的努力。
信贷资料平台于今日开始运作后，参与平台的信贷提供者会陆续将个人信贷资料上载到信贷资料平台。其后，获选信贷资料服务机构会从信贷资料平台下载这些资料以准备提供个人信贷资料服务。
请按此阅读香港金融管理局的新闻稿。
金管局正式推出「商业数据通」
香港金融管理局（金管局）今日（10月24日）宣布正式推出「商业数据通」。「商业数据通」是金管局「金融科技2025」策略的重点举措之一，旨在提升香港的数据基建，并缔造可安全及顺畅地互换数据的生态圈。
「商业数据通」作为一项以数据拥有人授权为本的数据基建，旨在便利金融机构从公私营数据提供方提取企业（尤其是中小型企业）的商业数据，促进数据共享。随着「商业数据通」正式投入运作，金融机构可采纳更多创新应用，以数码化和简化「认识你的客户」、信贷评估、贷款批核及风险管理等一连串融资流程。
「商业数据通」试行期间，参与银行合共批出了逾16亿港元的中小企贷款，体现了替代数据可带来的效用，并成功吸引23家积极从事中小企业务的银行（详见附件）及10间数据提供方参与。当中，六间拥有大量中小企数据的主要数据提供方已率先加入「商业数据通」，将会让银行在企业同意下通过「商业数据通」获取数据。现阶段涉及的商业数据涵盖电子贸易报关、电子商贸、供应链、支付及信贷纪录等资料。
为确保所有参与「商业数据通」的机构均遵守同一套规则，进行适切、公平及安全的商业数据互换，金管局今日亦公布了《商业数据通管治框架》，详细列明管治模式及架构。nbsp;
金管局鼓励中小企联络参与银行，以进一步了解银行透过「商业数据通」提供的崭新金融服务。详情亦可参阅「商业数据通」网页。
展望未来，金管局会继续研究如何扩阔「商业数据通」的数据范围，包括加入政府部门及分析服务供应商的数据，以发展出更多与「商业数据通」相关的新商业用例。
金管局副总裁李达志表示：「有赖银行及不同界别的数据提供方的全力支持，『商业数据通』历经两年发展里程，从构思演化为试行项目，最终蜕变成投入运作的基建，为此我们深感喜悦。今日『商业数据通』正式推出，迈进数据共享的新纪元。我们深信『商业数据通』将发挥关键作用，推动银行与数据提供方的多边数据共享，促进金融创新。」
请按此阅读香港金融管理局的新闻稿。
News in 2021
Delivery versus Payment (DvP) Linkage with Bank of Japan
A new DvP link initiated by the HKMA and Bank of Japan for cross-currency securities transactions between the HKD payment system (CHATS) and the Bank of Japan Financial Network System for Japanese Government Bond (BOJ-NET JGB) Services was launched on 1 April 2021. This new link facilitates DvP settlement of the HKD sale and repurchase (repo) transactions using Japanese Government Bonds (JGB) as collateral and helps eliminate settlement risk by ensuring simultaneous delivery of HK dollars in Hong Kong and JGBs in Japan.
News in 2019
积金局与香港银行同业结算有限公司合作研究积金易平台电子结算和支付系统
积金局与香港银行同业结算有限公司（结算公司）于今天（12月10日）签订合作协议，共同探讨适用于积金易平台的电子结算和支付系统。
在积金局机构事务总监及执行董事郑恩赐先生、积金局营运总监及执行董事朱擎知先生、香港金融管理局（金管局）高级助理总裁刘应彬先生及金管局助理总裁（金融基建）鲍克运先生的见证下，积金局执行董事（成员）许慧仪女士和结算公司行政总裁邓月容女士代表双方签署了谅解备忘录。
朱擎知先生表示：「构建积金易平台的其中一个目的，是提高雇主和计划成员管理强积金的效率及用家经验，而无缝、安全可靠的电子支付系统，将会是积金易平台不可缺少的部份。」
许慧仪女士表示：「结算公司成功开发转数快、电子支票、强积金转移电子化支付等电子支付系统。凭借结算公司丰富经验和知识，将有助我们为积金易平台开发适合而高效的电子结算和支付系统，以处理将来积金易平台庞大的强积金供款和交易。」
刘应彬先生表示：「是次签订合作协议，标志着双方同意共同推动香港金融基建的发展，以进一步提升处理支付交易的效能。我很高兴转数快在推出短短一年时间已经被广泛使用，并由个人对个人支付逐步发展至企业支付。凭借我们开发这个高效且稳健的电子支付平台的经验，我相信这将有助于推动积金易平台的发展，并为有关平台提供多元化及创新的支付方案。金管局会继续致力探讨更多转数快的应用场景，进一步促进香港电子支付生态的发展。」
邓月容女士表示：「转数快与积金易平台皆致力为市民大众提供高效及可靠的24x7电子服务。凭借开发转数快及其他电子系统的成功经验，结算公司有信心其安全可靠的支付技术有助积金局发展一个不单以用家为本、更可为香港金融基建发展作出供献的积金易平台。」
在积金局机构事务总监及执行董事郑恩赐（左二）、积金局营运总监及执行董事朱擎知（左一）、金管局高级助理总裁刘应彬（右二）及金管局助理总裁（金融基建）鲍克运（右一）的见证下，积金局执行董事（成员）许慧仪（左三）和结算公司行政总裁邓月容（右三）代表双方签署了谅解备忘录，共同探讨适用于积金易平台的电子结算和支付系统。
News in 2018
「转数快」开通仪式
请按此阅读香港金融管理局的新闻稿。
请按此阅读香港政府新闻网的新闻稿。
Faster Payment System (“FPS”)
Faster Payment System (FPS) is launched on 17 September 2018. The FPS is a payment financial infrastructure introduced by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and operated by Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) to enable real-time fund transfer and payment services among banks and payment service providers (including stored value facilities (SVFs) licensed by and retail payment systems (RPS) designated by the HKMA). This real-time payment platform enables instant payments in Hong Kong, providing consumers and merchants a safe, efficient and widely accessible retail payment service on a 7x24 basis.
Please click here to read the press release from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
News in 2017
Extension of Central Clearing and Settlement System (CCASS) Real-time Delivery versus Payment (RDvP) Settlement Window
To facilitate the usage of CCASS RDvP service by the China Connect Markets, the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (HKSCC) has extended the settlement window for CCASS RDvP Payments with effect from 20 November 2017. The new settlement window operates between 09:15 and 18:00 hours for HKD and USD currencies and between 09:15 and 19:45 hours for RMB currency, excluding Hong Kong general holidays on which CCASS will not be operated. The corresponding schedule for CCASS cutoff events has also been revised in view of this extension, with an additional CCASS interim cut-off at 15:30.
News in 2016
Enhancements for RMB FINInform Payment
As part of the continuous drive to promote efficiency and flexibility, user interface functions are provided for Global Users to enquire their transaction status, account debit limit and reference balance through the new iMBT channel over internet and/or existing eMBT channel via SWIFT network, with effect from 21 November 2016.
Sanction Screening of USD CHATS Payments by HSBC Sanction Screening System (“HSSS”)
USD CHATS has been enhanced to interface with the HSBC Sanction Screening System, replacing the Centralised Payment Filter, with effect from 1 August 2016 to provide corresponding payment sanction screening capabilities
Hong Kong-Guangdong Province (including Shenzhen) One-Way Joint Clearing for HKD, USD and RMB e-Cheque and Hong Kong-Guangdong Province One-Way Joint Clearing for USD Paper Cheque
A new one-way Hong Kong-Guangdong and Hong Kong-Shenzhen cross-border e-Cheque clearing service of HKD, USD and RMB e-Cheques is launched on 20 July 2016. The cross-border e-Cheque links are implemented to facilitate efficient processing of e-Cheque clearing between Guangdong Province (including Shenzhen) and Hong Kong. Through the joint clearing arrangement, payees in Guangdong Province (including Shenzhen) can present e-Cheques drawn on banks in Hong Kong to banks within Guangdong Province (including Shenzhen) for further clearing and settlement in Hong Kong by HKICL.
While the Hong Kong-Shenzhen joint clearing for USD paper cheque was already implemented in 2004, we have taken this opportunity to implement the Hong Kong-Guangdong Province one-way joint clearing for USD paper cheque on the same date (i.e. 20 July 2016).
Same Day CCASS Night Settlement (“SCASSN”)
A new Renminbi same day settlement run in late evening for CCASS items is introduced on 18 April 2016. It serves to mitigate the overnight counterparty risk that may arise between investors and brokers in connection with the settlement instructions relating to securities listed in Mainland China. The Central Clearing and Settlement System generates the relevant items and submits to HKICL by Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited for settlement on the same day.
Interbank Intraday Liquidity Facility
A new Interbank Intraday Liquidity Facility function is introduced in HKD CHATS, USD CHATS, RMB CHATS and Euro CHATS on 18 January 2016. It serves to enhance efficiency of the liquidity provision mechanism between Liquidity Provider(s) and its registered Liquidity Consumer(s) in respective CHATS.
News in 2015
Electronic Cheque (“e-Cheque”) Service
The e-Cheque service, launched on 7 December 2015, is an integrated presentment, clearing and settlement platform to facilitate (i) payee to present e-Cheques (including e-Cashier’s Orders) to its bank through presentment channels such as internet banking system provided by the payee’s bank or the e-Cheque Drop Box Service provided by HKICL; and (ii) clearing and settlement of e-Cheque payments. Under the e-Cheque service, both the payer and payee can execute timely payments enabled by electronic means.
RMB FINInform Payments
A new payment function is introduced in RMB CHATS on 14 September 2015 allowing Direct Participants (DPs) to act as settlement banks for registered indirect users, namely Global Users (GUs), where the GUs can exchange RMB payment messages via SWIFT’s FINInform Y-copy service for the account of their respective DPs, thus enhancing straight-through-processing, efficiency and transparency of RMB RTGS payment processing.
Extension of Renminbi ("RMB") CHATS and Central Moneymarkets Unit Processor (“CMUP”) Operating Window
With further rising demand for RMB clearing service around the world and to further strengthen Hong Kong’s offshore RMB market, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and RMB Clearing Bank have approved an extension of the RMB CHATS operating hours from the current window between 08:30 hours and 23:30 hours (the bank cut-off time), to between 08:30 hours and 05:00 hours (the bank cut-off time) of the next calendar day on all weekdays except 1 January starting from Monday, 20 July 2015. RMB CHATS will also open between 08:30 hours and 18:30 hours (the bank cut-off time) on special Saturdays and Sundays which are designated as working days in Mainland China. To facilitate RMB clearing members to better manage their RMB liquidity, the daily closing time of CMUP has also been extended from 23:30 hours to 05:00 hours of the next calendar day to align with the operation schedule of RMB CHATS on all weekdays.
News in 2014
Monthly Intraday Liquidity Monitoring Report
To facilitate Member’s management of intraday liquidity, a new Monthly Intraday Liquidity Monitoring Report was introduced to CHATS of all four clearing currencies on 17 November 2014. This new report facilitates Members to monitor their intraday liquidity usage and positions arising from CHATS activities.
Payment-versus-Payment Settlement for US Dollar ("USD") and Thai Baht ("THB")
A new cross-border payment-versus-payment (PvP) link between the USD CHATS and the BAHTNET system (Bank of Thailand’s Thai Baht RTGS system) for settlement of USD/THB foreign exchange transactions was launched on 28 July 2014. This new link facilitates PvP settlement of USD/THB foreign exchange transactions by eliminating settlement risk for the banking institutions in Hong Kong and Thailand.
Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Money Settlement Service
To enhance the efficiency of MPF funds settlement among trustees arising from investor portfolio transfers, the HKMA and Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority have jointly introduced money settlement for MPF funds transfer (“MPF Money Settlement Service”) under the Central Moneymarkets Unit (“CMU”) of the HKMA with effect from 19 May 2014.
All MPF trustees in Hong Kong will participate as CMU members and engage settlement banks who are Members of the Clearing House to carry out money settlement on their behalf in the new MPF bulk settlement run in the HKD clearing system.
News in 2013
Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP)
EBPP, a platform established by the joint effort of Hong Kong’s banking industry, provides a single consolidated platform that enables the general public to receive and pay bills, or to make donations and receive donation receipts via their internet banking systems. Effective from 18 November 2013, participating banks can exchange merchant, enrolment, bill presentment and donation receipt information through this centralised service. In addition, bill related payments and donations in HKD, USD or RMB can be settled via the corresponding clearing and settlement service.
Delivery versus Payment Link with Euroclear Bank
To facilitate cross-border collateralised lending and borrowing, the delivery versus payment (DvP) facilities of CHATS is extended to securities transactions settled in Euroclear Bank effective 17 June 2013. A linkage between the CHATS of HKICL and global tripartite repo system of Euroclear Bank is established for supporting DvP settlement of the transfer of collateralised securities in Euroclear Bank and the transfer of funds in CHATS simultaneously.
Alphanumeric Clearing Code
Effective 18 March 2013, three-digit alphanumeric clearing codes will be introduced for overseas direct participants (“DPs”) of USD Clearing, Euro Clearing and RMB Clearing, so as to save the usage of the current three-digit numeric clearing codes for local clearing member. Alphanumeric clearing codes will be assigned to overseas DPs that do not participate in bulk clearing and CCASS money settlement services (including paper cheque clearing, CCASS and other electronic clearing service, and/or CCASS real-time DvP service).
HKICL Network (ICLNet)
ICLNet, a secure, open, scalable, and high performance restricted-access private IP-based network for connecting the respective computer systems of the financial institutions and other licensed financial entities in Hong Kong to exchange electronic data efficiently and in a secure manner, commenced operations on 18 March 2013.
News in 2012
Dual Sites Operations
HKICL relocated its production clearing centre, data centre and main office from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon on 17 December 2012. The Hong Kong Island offices were converted into the Company’s backup clearing and data centre at the same time. With a view to providing better clearing service and bringing convenience to Members after HKICL’s relocation, clearing counter services are provided at both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon centres (Dual Sites Operations) to facilitate Members’ outward submission and inward collection of clearing/returned items.
Cross-border Autodebit Service between Guangdong (“GD”) and Hong Kong (“HK”) using China UnionPay HKD/RMB Debit Cards and Direct Debit RMB Account
Following the launch of the cross-border autodebit service between Shenzhen and HK that enables customers in Hong Kong to make autodebit payments to merchants such as utility companies, telephone operators, estate management companies, etc. in Shenzhen, China, this service has been extended to cover Guangdong province starting from 16 July 2012. This service provides greater convenience to customers in Hong Kong, who can make payments by debiting their China UnionPay HKD/RMB debit cards, or RMB bank accounts in Hong Kong to eligible merchants in the Guangdong Province.
Extension of Renminbi ("RMB") CHATS and Central Moneymarkets Unit Processor ("CMUP") Operating Window
To strengthen Hong Kong’s capability in settling overseas RMB payments, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and RMB Clearing Bank have approved an extension of the RMB CHATS operating hours from the current window between 08:30 hours and 18:30 hours (the bank cut-off time), to between 08:30 hours and 23:30 hours (the bank cut-off time) on all weekdays except 1 January effective Monday, 25 June 2012. To facilitate RMB clearing members to better manage their RMB liquidity, the daily closing time of CMUP has also been extended from 18:30 hours to 23:30 hours to align with the operation schedule of RMB CHATS.
News in 2011
RMB EPS and RMB Same Day Settlement EPS
As a continuous expansion of the RMB business in Hong Kong, we have launched the new RMB EPS and RMB Same Day Settlement services on 21 November 2011. These services facilitate the clearing and settlement of retail payment transactions of the participating merchants of EPSCO in RMB currency.
CCASS T+2 Money Settlement Service ("Service")
The Service was launched on 25 July 2011. Under the new arrangement, the overnight credit risk arising from the settlement gap between stock and money is minimized since the securities trades settled by the Central Clearing and Settlement System operated by Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited and the interbank money settlement for these trades via HKICL would be done on the same day.
Renminbi ("RMB") Autopay and RMB Special CCASS Items
To support the expansion of RMB business in Hong Kong, we have launched a new RMB Autodebit and Autocredit service on 21 March 2011. Furthermore, to facilitate the timely clearing and settlement of RMB Initial Public Offering refund, a new bulk clearing service for RMB Special CCASS items was introduced also on the said date.
News in 2010
Regional CHATS Payment Service (“RCPS”)
To sustain Hong Kong’s status as a regional hub and to cope with the expansion of local Renminbi (“RMB”) business, the RCPS has been enhanced to include RMB in addition to the original 3 currencies, i.e. HKD, USD and Euro. This additional service is available since 20 December 2010. RCPS service providers who wish to provide RMB RCPS can subscribe this enhanced service with HKICL.
Same Day Settlement JETCO Items
This new service launched on 20 September 2010 allows the members of Joint Electronic Teller Services Limited (“JETCO”) an option to enjoy earlier funds availability as the interbank payments initiated by JETCO are settled within the same day of submission. The existing settlement on the working day after submission remains unchanged.
Same Day Settlement EPS Items
This new service launched on 20 September 2010 allows the participating merchants of Easy Payment System (“EPS”) an option to enjoy earlier funds availability as the settlement of the EPS items submitted to HKICL by Easy Payment System Company (Hong Kong) Limited is done within the same day of submission. The existing settlement on the working day after submission remains unchanged.
Cross-border Autodebit Service Using China UnionPay HKD Debit Cards
In view of the frequent economic interaction between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, we have launched a Cross-border Autodebit Service jointly with China UnionPay (“CUP”) and Shenzhen Financial Electronic Settlement Centre on 27 September 2010. This service facilitates payment made by debtors in Hong Kong to merchants in Shenzhen using CUP HKD Debit Card.
Browser-based RTGS front-end applications on SWIFTNet and Internet
The front-end terminal applications of the RTGS systems were successfully migrated from the text-based MBT/400 and CMT/400 to browser-based applications on 12 July 2010. After the migration, eMBT via SWIFTNet is the front-end terminal application of CHATS of all clearing currencies, while eCMT via SWIFTNet and iCMT via the Internet are the front-end terminal applications of the HKMA's CMU. The new eMBT, eCMT and iCMT are user friendly applications that improve the users’ operations in addition to the enhanced system functionalities.
Payment-versus-Payment Settlement for US Dollar ("USD") and Indonesian Rupiah ("IDR")
A new payment system linkage between the USD CHATS and the BI-RTGS System (Bank Indonesia's RTGS system) for payment-versus-payment (“PvP”) settlement of USD/IDR foreign exchange transactions was launched on 25 January 2010. This new payment systems linkage facilitates PvP settlement of USD/IDR foreign exchange transactions as a measure to eliminate settlement risk for the banking institutions in Hong Kong and Indonesia.
News in 2009
The establishment of cross-border links with the clearing and settlement systems of other Asian countries will help developing Hong Kong into a payment and settlement hub for the region. Following the successful linkage of USD CHATS with RENTAS (a real time electronic transfer of funds and securities system) in Malaysia to facilitate the real time payment versus payment transactions of USD/Malaysian Ringgit, and the settlement in Hong Kong of the cash leg of the real time delivery versus payment transactions of USD bonds traded in Malaysia, a cross border link for fund transfers between Hong Kong’s RTGS systems and the Mainland’s foreign currency RTGS systems was launched on 16 March 2009. This cross border link facilitates 2-way real-time USD, HKD and Euro funds transfers between banks in Hong Kong and banks participating in the RTGS systems of the respective currencies in the Mainland. A list of the banks in Mainland that participate in the cross border link can be found on HKICL website.
Effective 25 May 2009, the RTGS systems of all clearing currencies are able to support payment transactions transmitted in SWIFT message format.
News in 2008
Effective 23 June 2008, in addition to HKD cheques, USD cheques drawn on banks in Macau and presented by banks in Hong Kong can be settled on the following working day.
The RTGS operating hours were extended by one hour from 17:30 hours to 18:30 hours, Mondays to Fridays except General Holidays, effective 3 November 2008 in order to allow banks in Hong Kong that have business with the Mainland and western Asian countries more time to process their remittance payments which in turn could enhance their services and help developing Hong Kong as a regional payment HUB to serve the neighbour countries in the region.
A new clearing service to enhance the refund process of the electronic initial public offering (“eIPO”) of the Central Clearing and Settlement System (“CCASS”) was launched on 15 December 2008. Under this new service, the inter-bank settlement of the eIPO refund monies is performed on the refund day so that the CCASS participants can receive the refund monies in good funds on the same day instead of previously on the working day following the refund day. .
News in 2007
The Regional CHATS Payment Services was launched in July 2007 which linked all participants of the existing HKD, USD and Euro RTGS systems in Hong Kong in order to build an extensive correspondent network to facilitate the cross-border payments through the RTGS systems in Hong Kong during Asian business hours.
To support the clearing and settlement of the RMB-denominated transactions in Hong Kong, a full-fledged Renminbi RTGS system, and the RMB local cheque clearing were introduced on 18 June 2007.
The one-way clearing for HKD cheques drawn on banks in Hong Kong and presented by banks in Macau was introduced in August 2007 to reduce the time taken for Macau residents to receive funds.
The linkage between Hong Kong’s USD RTGS Systems and Malaysia’s Rentas Scriptless Securities Trading System for delivery-versus-payment settlement of USD bonds in Malaysia was introduced on 12 November 2007. This linkage eliminates settlement risk of USD bonds issued and traded in Malaysia by ensuring simultaneous delivery of US dollars in Hong Kong and USD bonds in Malaysia.
The opening of the RTGS settlement window was advanced by 30 minutes from 09:00 hours to 08:30 hours with effect from 3 December 2007 in order to allow banks more time for the settlement of CCASS related payments given the booming stock market, which in turn helps banks to better manage their liquidity for the settlement of CCASS items.
News in 2006
Payment versus Payment (PvP) Settlement for USD and Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Central Bank of Malaysia has agreed to establish a link between the Ringgit real-time gross settlement system in Malaysia (the RENTAS system) and the USD real-time gross settlement system in Hong Kong (USD RTGS system). This payment link enables the reduction of foreign exchange settlement risk through the implementation of a PvP mechanism during the Malaysia and Hong Kong business hours, and helps to increase the efficiency and safety of payment systems in Malaysia and in the region, in particular to manage FX settlement risk exposure for the FX transactions involving the US dollar and MYR.
This new system was launched on 13 November 2006.
Renminbi Settlement System
HKICL has been engaged by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, the Clearing Bank ("CB") for RMB business in Hong Kong, to develop a Renminbi Settlement System ("RSS") that provides participants of this system with RMB cheque clearing service, and real-time RMB payment services including RMB position-squaring, remittance processing, and RMB bank card payment.
Licensed banks in Hong Kong, as well as their credit card subsidiaries can join the RSS with the permission from the CB and the HKMA, and each participant has to maintain a settlement account with the CB. The RSS is launched on 6 March 2006.