2020The “black swan” event at the beginning of the year had a real impact on the global economy，Asset preservation、Business transformation and cross-border configuration，It has become a core topic for many investment institutions and high-net-worth clients.。in Hong Kong financial markets，1Number、4Number、9license plateThe combination is often referred to as a "149 license"，is to carry out securities trading、Important compliance basis for securities investment opinions and asset management business。Hong Kong Xintong surroundsHong Kong 149 licenseThe business meaning of、Application conditions、Process、License advantages and value concerns，Sort out key practical points for enterprises。
What exactly is the Hong Kong 149 license?
in Hong Kong，The Securities and Futures Commission is responsible for supervising 10 types of regulated activity licenses，Each type of license corresponds to a specific financial business。If an enterprise intends to engage in relevant regulated activities in Hong Kong，Must obtain corresponding license，Business can only be carried out in compliance with regulations。
Since Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect，More and more mainland management institutions are beginning to enter the Hong Kong market，Introduce overseas investors by setting up a company in Hong Kong，and use Hong Kong as an important platform to connect international capital.。Many private equity fund management institutions also hope to apply for licenses in Hong Kong，Used to attract international investors、Issue products and carry out cross-border asset management business。
The so-called 149 license，Usually refers to Category 1、4Combination of Class 9 and Class 9 license plates，Corresponding to securities transactions respectively、Three core businesses of advising on securities and providing asset management。
1license plate：Securities trading
1No. license i.e. securities trading license。After the enterprise obtains the No. 1 license，Only in Hong Kong can one engage in providing securities transactions for clients、Brokerage services and other related businesses，Similar to mainland securities companies providing stock trading services to customers。
4license plate：Advise on securities
4license is a license to advise on securities。After the enterprise obtains the No. 4 license，Only in Hong Kong can we provide clients with securities investment advice.，and publish relevant research reports。
9license plate：Provide asset management
9No. license provides asset management license。After the enterprise obtains the No. 9 license，funds can be issued in Hong Kong、Manage client funds, etc.，Functionally similar to qualifications related to mainland private equity fund management。
Business advantages of Hong Kong 149 license
Due to No. 1、4Number、9The license plate has a strong synergistic effect in business，Most institutions in the market will consider applying for these three types of licenses at the same time，thus forming securities trading、Combination capabilities of investment consulting and asset management。
Enterprise obtained No. 1、4Number、9after number plate，Can further expand the scope of overseas investment targets，Enrich investors’ product choices，More actively participate in international market investment，And provide global asset allocation for institutional clients and high-net-worth individual clients、Family wealth management consulting and other services。
Hong Kong 149 license application conditions
Applying for a Hong Kong 149 license usually requires meeting the subject qualifications、office space、Management team、Responsible person、Director arrangement、Capital and bank account requirements。Before a company applies for planning，The overall architecture design should be completed first、Staffing and compliance system development。
- The applicant must be a limited company incorporated in Hong Kong，or a non-Hong Kong company registered with the Companies Registry。
- The company must have a physical office address in Hong Kong，And the office space must be a Grade A office building。
- Businesses need an experienced management team，To assist company operations，and establish a clear business framework、internal monitoring system，and equipped with qualified responsible personnel RO。
- The business must have two licensees。For the nationality of licensed individuals and responsible persons，The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong does not have any restrictions or special requirements。
- At least one responsible officer of the company must be based in Hong Kong，in order to directly supervise the relevant business。
- At least one responsible person within the company must be a member of the board of directors。
- The registered capital requirement for Hong Kong companies is HKD 5 million.，And must always maintain paid-in share capital and liquid capital of not less than 3 million Hong Kong dollars.。
- Businesses must open a bank account in Hong Kong。
Advice on applying for Hong Kong 149 license
After the enterprise meets the above conditions,，Applications can be submitted to the relevant regulatory authorities in Hong Kong。Since the 149 license involves the definition of business scope、Responsible personnel qualifications、internal control system、Capital requirements and ongoing compliance arrangements，Application preparation is usually more professional，It is recommended that enterprises conduct a system assessment before launching。
We recommend that companies put more effort into business strategy、Investment management capabilities and market expansion planning，Apply for a license、Material preparation、Compliance framework establishment and other matters will be handled by professional agencies for assistance.。Hong Kong Xintong can provide enterprises with Hong Kong 149 license application consultation、Processing planning and related qualification program support，Assist enterprises to more efficiently promote the layout of Hong Kong financial licenses。
About Hong Kong Xintong
Hong Kong Xintong focuses onHong Kong Securities and Futures Commission license、Hong Kong Insurance Broker License、Hong Kong MSO Licenseandmoneylenders licenseApply for service，Assist customers to applyUS MSB license、NFA、RIA、Canadian MSB license、Mainstream overseas financial licenses such as Australia and Mexico，Support enterprises to achieve compliance expansion of cross-border financial business。Also availableCayman Islands Offshore Company Registration、Offshore fund establishment and global compliance operations and other services，Help enterprises expand their presence in international markets。Provide one-stop compliance solutions for enterprises。To learn more，Please contactHong Kong Information Communications Consultant。
