Hong Kong maintains a three-tier system of deposit-taking institutions, namely, licensed banks, restricted licence banks, deposit-taking companies. They are collectively known as authorized institutions.
Hong Kong has one of the highest concentrations of banking institutions in the world. 69 of the largest 100 banks in the world have an operation in Hong Kong. At the end of December 2006, there were 138 licensed banks, 31 restricted licence banks and 33 deposit-taking companies in business. These 202 authorized institutions operate a comprehensive network of 1,313 local branches. Of these 202 authorized institutions, 181 are beneficially owned by interests from 30 countries. In addition, there are 84 local representative offices of overseas banks in Hong Kong.
For more information, see the latest Monthly Statistical Bulletin and Authorization of Authorized Institutions.
In Hong Kong, only licensed banks may operate current and savings accounts, and accept deposits of any size and maturity from the public and pay or collect cheques drawn by or paid in by customers.
List of licensed banks 
(excel file, 69KB)
Restricted licence banks are principally engaged in merchant banking and capital market activities. They may take deposits of any maturity of HK$500,000 (approximately US$64,103) and above.
List of restricted licence banks
(excel file, 69KB)
Deposit-taking companies are mostly owned by, or otherwise associated with, banks. These companies engage in a range of specialised activities, including consumer finance and securities business. They may take deposits of HK$100,000 (approximately US$12,821) or above with an original term of maturity of at least three months.
List of deposit-taking companies
(excel file, 69KB)
Apart from the above three categories of authorized institutions that are permitted to carry on the business of taking deposits in Hong Kong, overseas banks may establish local representative offices in Hong Kong. However, these offices are not allowed to engage in any banking business and their role is confined mainly to liaison work between the bank and its customers in Hong Kong.
List of local representative offices
(excel file, 69KB)
Address list of Authorized Institutions and Local Representative Offices
Click here
(excel file, 203KB) to download a contact list of licensed banks, restricted
licence banks, deposit-taking companies and local representative offices
Updated on 31 October 2008