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2019-10-03

Added 2026-06-21 · Updated 2026-08-16

BELR Rule 37(3) - Premises in whole treated as being used for conducting banking business

The Monetary Authority of Hong Kong issued this directive to confirm consent for authorized institutions to treat specific premises as wholly used for banking business under BELR Rule 37(3). The rule permits head offices and one main office to be fully treated as banking premises regardless of mixed-use proportions, while other offices qualify only if at least 50% of their floor area is used for banking. Any remaining offices and premises used for employee housing or amenities must be allocated based on the actual percentage of floor area utilized for banking purposes.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Banking Policy Department Our Ref: B1/15C B9/188C 3 October 2019 The Chief Executive All locally incorporated authorized institutions Dear Sir/Madam, BELR Rule 37(3) - Premises in whole treated as being used for conducting banking business This letter supersedes letters issued on the same subject matter in the past. I am writing to confirm that pursuant to rule 37(3) of the Banking (Exposure Limits) Rules, consent is given for an authorized institution (“AI”) to treat the whole of the premises as specified below as being used for conducting the AI’s business:

The head office (irrespective of the proportion between bank and non-bank use of the building);
One main office (irrespective of the proportion between bank and non-bank use of the building); and
Other offices where at least 50% of the floor area is used for banking purposes. Offices not stated above should be treated as for conducting the AI’s business based on the actual percentage of floor area used for that purpose. To avoid doubt, an AI should treat premises as for providing housing or amenities for its employees based on the actual percentage of floor area used for that purpose. Yours faithfully, Daryl Ho for Monetary Authority cc: The Chairperson, The Hong Kong Association of Banks The Chairman, The DTC Association FSTB (Attn: Ms Eureka Cheung)