COMPARE BEFORE YOU DECIDE
One comparison table to see the differences between the regimes.
Start with the business scope, competent authority and capital baseline. Specific requirements must still be checked item by item in the relevant guide against the business model and licence conditions.
LICENSING COMPARISON
Core comparison of Hong Kong financial qualifications
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| Licences / Qualifications | Regulatory authorities | Business and Applicable Scenarios | Capital and Financial Resources | Entry pathways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IA insurance broker company licence | Insurance Authority (IA) | Insurance brokerage business, responsible persons, professional indemnity insurance and ongoing compliance. | The company must continuously maintain paid-up share capital of at least HKD 500,000 and net assets of at least HKD 500,000, satisfying both requirements at the same time; this does not mean that an additional total of HKD 1 million must be paid in. Net assets must be adjusted under Chapter 41L, excluding intangible assets and other items; the minimum threshold is not the total start-up budget, and losses may cause net assets to fall below the requirement.[3] | New Application / Acquisition |
| Trust companies and TCSP licences | Hong Kong Companies Registry CR | Distinguish trust company registration from TCSP licensing, and clarify service boundaries and ongoing maintenance responsibilities. | TCSP does not prescribe a uniform minimum paid-up share capital or statutory deposit, and providing trust services does not automatically require HKD 3 million. Trust registration requires issued share capital of at least HKD 3 million, with at least HKD 3 million paid up in cash, as well as a statutory deposit of at least HKD 1.5 million or an accepted bank guarantee. Operating resources must be budgeted separately; capital should not be counted repeatedly mechanically. [1] [2] | Incorporation / Licensing / Acquisition |
Capital is a regulatory resource threshold, not a service quotation. The absence of a stated uniform minimum capital requirement does not mean that sufficient operating funds are unnecessary. An acquisition does not remove regulatory review, and registration or membership does not amount to a general financial licence.
Get Advice on Business SuitabilityYOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS HERE
First, tell us about your business,
Then select a suitable licensing path.
Discuss your business model, capital budget and schedule with Tang Shangyong (Drew) to prepare a checklist of next steps.