Banking and Finance
Banking work has always been the backbone of our services. The banking and finance practice group of our Commercial Department serves a large number of financial institutions in Hong Kong (including note-issuing banks), in Mainland China (ranging from national banks, domestic banks, offshore banking departments of banks and banks operating in free trade zones) and foreign banks from abroad and we are on the approved list of most banks in Hong Kong.
Our firm is retained by many banks and financial institutions, including banks in Mainland China, banks in Macau, trustee companies and securities companies in Hong Kong, as their annual retainer law firm responsible for all legal matters relating to Hong Kong and other legal issues.
We have assisted banks in Hong Kong in their application for banking licences to operate in Mainland China under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and acted for an international bank in Hong Kong in its joint venture in Mainland China to establish a new national bank in Tianjin, and our services included review of various PRC banking laws and compliance regulations affecting banking operations in Mainland China.
SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE:
- Cross-border banking and loan transactions between Hong Kong and Mainland China and the locations of the PRC projects we have handled cover a wide range of provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Chongqing, Tianjin, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shantou, Qingdao etc.
- Acting for domestic financial institutions in Mainland China as well as banks from overseas in connection with their Hong Kong and foreign loan transactions as their lead Hong Kong counsel on matters and security relating to Hong Kong
- Reviewing and/or setting forms for the new financial products as well as daily operation of banks and securities companies
- Reviewing and updating lending, guarantee and security documentation for banks and securities companies
- Secured loans, project loans, acquisition financing and syndicated lending
- Reviewing international cooperation and trade agreements between banks
- Advising banks and securities companies on regulatory and compliance matters in relation to banking, securities and regulated activities including issues relating to the Banking Ordinance, HKMA circulars and guidelines, Code of Banking Practice, Listing Rules and SFO-related compliance
- Providing annual retainer services to financial institutions, including conducting regular legal trainings and seminars on updated banking legal practices
- Taking enforcement actions on securities for banks and finance companies and advising them on regulatory and compliance issues including enforcement of listed securities in Hong Kong
- Debt re-structuring and standstill arrangements
- Advising on the sale and purchase of banks and finance companies
- Applying for banking, money lender and securities licences for banks and securities companies
- Assisting banks operating in Hong Kong in their application for banking licences to operate in Mainland China under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)