Phased Approach

The Four Phases of Open API

This video shows some examples of Open API application that may be provided after each phase has been implemented.

Examples of Open API application

Open API Phases for the Hong Kong Banking Sector

Phase 

Open API functions 

Examples 

Delivery time 

I

Product information

Deposit rates, credit card offerings, service charges and other public information

By the end of January 2019

II

Customer acquisition

New applications for credit cards, loans and other products

By the end of October 2019

III

Account information

Account balance, credit card outstanding balance, transaction records, credit limit change and others

The initial batch of API functions, covering deposit account information and online merchant payments, are implemented progressively starting from December 2021

IV

Transactions

Payment and transfers

Phase I and II Open APIs

The banking sector has launched Phase I and II Open APIs in January 2019 and October 2019 respectively. The information of the Open APIs can be found in this website of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, which provides a single point of reference of all the Open APIs offered by banks to facilitate access by third-party service providers. If there are any questions regarding the details of Open API functions, please contact the respective banks.

Phase III and IV Open APIs

The HKMA announced the implementation plan for Phases III and IV of the Open API Framework in May 2021. The HKMA has decided to adopt a progressive approach to implementing Phase III and IV API functions that enable viable use cases involving lower implementation cost and risk. The initial batch of API functions, covering deposit account information and online merchant payments, are implemented progressively starting from December 2021.

The target go-live dates of Phase III and Phase IV Open APIs

The target go-live dates of Phase III and Phase IV Open APIs provide an implementation overview and indicative timeline for third-party service providers and related parties to better plan for service offerings.

The details of the Open API implementation of individual banks are subject to their designs and latest plans. If you have questions regarding the details of Open API functions or their target go-live dates below, please contact the respective banks.

Phase III Open API functions for retail customers

Phase III Open APIs for retail customers comprise the following functions:

Retrieval of deposit account information

  • Account availability
  • Account status
  • Account balance
  • Transaction details

Of the 28 participating banks1, 23 banks launched the API functions. For the remaining 5 banks, their plans are as follows:

Banks

Target go-live dates

  • Ant Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

Concrete plan not provided

  • Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited

Concrete plan not provided

  • Fusion Bank Limited

31 March 2023

  • Mox Bank Limited

Concrete plan not provided

  • Nanyang Commercial Bank, Limited

Concrete plan not provided

Click here for target go-live dates of API functions of each participating bank.

 

Phase III Open API functions for corporate and SME customers

Phase III Open APIs for corporate and SME customers comprise the following functions:

Retrieval of deposit account information

  • Account availability
  • Account status
  • Account balance
  • Transaction details

Of the 28 participating banks, 20 banks launched the API functions. 5 banks do not offer corporate or SME banking services at the moment. The remaining 3 banks below have not provided concrete implementation plans.

Banks

  • Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited
  • Livi Bank Limited
  • Nanyang Commercial Bank, Limited

Click here for target go-live dates of API functions of each participating bank.

 

Phase IV Open API function

Phase IV Open API function comprises FPS App-to-app payments.​

Of the 28 participating banks, 26 banks launched the API functions. The remaining 2 banks below have not provided concrete implementation plans.​

Banks

  • Ant Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
  • Mox Bank Limited

Click here for target go-live dates of API functions of each participating bank.


  • 1The 28 participating banks are listed below in alphabetical order:

    Airstar Bank Limited

    Ant Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

    Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited

    Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited

    China CITIC Bank International Limited

    China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited

    Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited

    Chong Hing Bank Limited

    Citibank (Hong Kong) Limited

    CMB Wing Lung Bank Limited

    Dah Sing Bank Limited

    DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

    Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

    Fusion Bank Limited

    Hang Seng Bank Limited

    Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited

    Livi Bank Limited

    Mox Bank Limited

    Nanyang Commercial Bank, Limited

    OCBC Wing Hang Bank Limited

    Ping An OneConnect Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

    Public Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

    Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited

    Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

    The Bank of East Asia, Limited

    The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

    WeLab Bank Limited

    ZA Bank Limited

Last revision date : 10 February 2023