HKMA Launches Inaugural FiNETech to Promote Fintech Adoption

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) launched today (26 April) the FiNETech series, gathering around 100 banks, securities and insurance companies as well as technology firms to explore next-level collaboration in the areas of Wealthtech, Insurtech, Greentech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). 

Building on the Tech Baseline Assessment¹ under its “Fintech 2025” strategy, the HKMA aims to capitalise the vast growth opportunities in five Fintech business areas and technology types, as well as the substantial benefits that the wider financial services sector can derive from an expanded network of local Fintech solutions.  Through FiNETech, financial institutions will have one-stop access to the latest information about sourcing options provided collectively by the technology community. 

FiNETech is supported by financial regulators², industry associations³ as well as technology communities⁴, and powered by market experts⁵.  Financial institutions, together with strategic technology partners connected via FiNETech or otherwise, can jointly approach the HKMA’s Fintech Supervisory Chatroom on innovative Fintech proposals.  The HKMA’s Fintech Supervisory Sandbox 2.0, which is linked up with other financial regulators’ Sandboxes, will also be available for testing and obtaining early supervisory feedback on the proposals before full adoption. 

In the next six to twelve months, the HKMA will expand the joint efforts in Fintech areas through FiNETech series:

• to zoom into the themes of AI, including Generative AI, as well as DLT and Greentech through further FiNETech sessions, and in collaboration with the supporting organisations, industry associations and market experts;
• to make tangible progress in Fintech adoption by banks and other financial institutions;
• to follow up on innovative cases and share good industry practices; and
• to issue further practical guidance for the priority themes, where appropriate, also making reference to global development and international experience.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
26 April 2024

Ms Carmen Chu, Executive Director (Banking Supervision) (fifth from left, first row) and representatives from financial regulators, banks and other financial institutions, industry associations and Fintech solutions providers at the inaugural FiNETech.

FiNETech provides a collaborative platform where innovative ideas materialise into practical applications.

The inaugural FiNETech brought together about 100 institutions from the banking, securities, insurance, mandatory provident fund and technology industries to foster new partnerships and drive further transformation in shaping the future of fintech together.