Information Leaflets - "Fighting Crime and Terrorism: How You Can Help"

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), jointly with the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) and the DTC Association (DTCA), today (Friday) announced the public release of an information leaflet called "Fighting Crime and Terrorism: How You Can Help". This leaflet is jointly developed by the HKMA, HKAB and the DTCA. The main purpose of this leaflet is to explain to bank customers why authorized institutions (AIs) may require them to provide identification documents and how, in line with latest international practices, this can help prevent money laundering and combat terrorist financing.

Mr William Ryback, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, said "this leaflet demonstrates Hong Kong's longstanding commitment to meeting international standards in fighting money laundering and terrorist financing, while recognising the need for sensitivity towards customers. It is an excellent example of how the industry, the regulator and the public can work hand in hand to achieve this goal."

Mr Peter Wong, Chairman of HKAB, said "customers providing identification documents and other relevant information can make it harder for money launderers and terrorists to use false identities to disguise their activities."

"We are confident that our Association members and our customers will fully support this important global effort to fight against money laundering and terrorism," said Mr Yoke Kong Tan, Vice-Chairman of the DTCA.

The leaflet can be obtained from AIs, and can also be viewed or downloaded from the websites of the HKMA (www.hkma.gov.hk), HKAB (www.hkab.org.hk) and the DTCA (www.dtca.org.hk).

For further enquiries, please contact:

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Jasmin Fung, Manager (Press), at 2878 8246

The Hong Kong Association of Banks
Katie Yip, Secretary, at 2521 1160

The DTC Association
Pui-chong Lund, Association Secretary, at 2526 4079

Hong Kong Monetary Authority

The Hong Kong Association of Banks

The DTC Association

19 March 2004

Attachment: Information leaflet (PDF file, 911KB)