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HONG KONG LICENCES
Money lender licence
Money lending and finance business · Money Lenders Ordinance (Cap. 163)
Licensing authorityLicensing Court (licensing decision)
Processing and registrationCompanies Registry
Background investigationHong Kong Police Force
Licence validity12 months; apply for renewal within the three months before expiry
Purpose of the licence
A money lender licence applies to a business engaged in lending, such as personal loans, finance company activities, bridging finance or invoice financing. Unless a statutory exemption applies, operating a money lending business in Hong Kong requires the relevant licence; unlicensed operation may constitute a criminal offence. The business must comply with the Money Lenders Ordinance's interest rate limits, loan agreement requirements and applicable licence conditions.
Main application requirements
- The applicant must be a fit and proper person to carry on money lending, taking into account knowledge, education and relevant experience;
- Directors, controllers and other relevant persons must provide background information, CVs, declarations and other material as required. Supporting documents are assessed for the application;
- The premises must be suitable for conducting a money lending business;
- Check the latest fit and proper criteria, licence conditions and anti-money laundering requirements, and establish the necessary arrangements for the operating model.
Application process
- Confirm an individual, partnership or corporate application structure and prepare personnel, premises and business plan information;
- Submit the required application forms, statements and documents to the Companies Registry and Police Licensing Office;
- The Police Licensing Office investigates the application, premises and relevant background;
- Attend the Licensing Court hearing and answer questions;
- The licence is issued following the court's decision, generally subject to licence conditions.
Acquisition, sale and transfer
An acquisition of an existing licensed finance company or a sale may be assessed against business needs. We assist with company and licence information, valuation advice, buyer and seller matching, and ownership changes and required regulatory procedures. Availability and handover arrangements must be confirmed separately.