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In brief

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) recently released its Consultation Conclusions (“Conclusions“) on Proposed Enhancements to the Competency Framework for Intermediaries and Individual Practitioners.1 Changes to the existing Guidelines on Competence (“Competence Guidelines“) and Guidelines on Continuous Professional Training (“CPT Guidelines“) (together, the “Guidelines“) will take effect in January 2022. These changes impact the competence and ongoing training requirements for new and existing Responsible Officers (ROs) and Licensed Representatives (LRs) of Licensed Corporations (LCs), as well as Executive Officers (EOs) and Relevant Individuals (Rels) of Registered Institutions (RIs). There will also be enhanced competence requirements for individuals who advise on matters or transactions falling within the ambit of the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs (“Takeovers Codes“).


Key changes

The existing Competence Guidelines and CPT Guidelines have been in place for more than 18 years. They are being updated by the SFC in view of the changing regulatory landscape, evolving financial markets and the development of new financial products.

Competence requirements

Please see below a summary table comparing the key changes under the Competence Guidelines.

ROs and EOs

ExistingNew
Academic/Professional qualifications
There are 3 options (and Option 3 permits entrants with no minimum academic/industry qualification requirement):
Option 1: Any of the following:
• Degree in the designated fields (Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance and Law)
• Other degree with passes in at least 2 courses in the designated fields
• Professional qualifications in law, accounting or finance
• Recognised industry qualifications
There are 3 options (and there is now a minimum academic requirement under all options):
Option A: Any of the following:
• Degree in the designated fields (Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance and Law). If an applicant who is a degree holder has attained a postgraduate diploma or certificate that is: (a) issued by a university or other similar tertiary institution in Hong Kong or elsewhere; or (b) recognised as Level 6 or above under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong, then the postgraduate diploma or certificate will also be taken into account

1 https://apps.sfc.hk/edistributionWeb/api/consultation/conclusion?refNo=20CP8&lang=EN


ExistingNew
Option 2:
• Passes in Chinese/English and Mathematics in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) or equivalent
Option 3:
• If the individual does not hold any of the above qualifications, they can still meet the competence requirements provided that they have attained extra years of relevant industry experience
• Other degree with passes in at least 2 courses in the designated fields
• Professional qualifications in law, accounting or finance
Option B:
• Degree in fields other than the designated fields (without passes in 2 courses in the designated fields)
Option C: Any of the following:
• Level 2 in Chinese/English and Mathematics in the Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
• Grade E or above in Chinese/English and Mathematics in the HKCEE
• Passes in Chinese/English and Mathematics in other high
school public examinations in Hong Kong or elsewhere
equivalent to HKDSE
Relevant industry experience
Years of experience required varies depending on the academic qualifications of the individual (see above).
Option 1: At least 3 years over the past 6 years
Option 2: At least 5 years over the past 8 years
Option 3: At least 8 years over the past 11 years
Years of experience required varies depending on the academic qualifications of the individual (see above), as well as, in the case of Option C, the individual’s relevant recognised industry qualification (RIQ), or completion of continuous professional training within the 6 months preceding the application submission (“Extra CPT”).
Option A: At least 3 years over the past 6 years
Option B: At least 3 years over the past 6 years
Option C:
• With relevant RIQ: At least 3 years over the past 6 years
• With relevant Extra CPT completed: At least 5 years over the past 8 years
The SFC has also provided some guidance on the industry experience assessment. First, the SFC applies ‘recency’ as a key element in its assessment. In assessing ‘relevance’, the SFC will consider whether the substance of the experience is directly relevant or crucial to the regulated activity proposed to be carried on by the individual and the role that the individual will take. In certain cases, the SFC may also accept experience gained in a nonregulated situation. In assessing ‘sufficiency’, the SFC may consider the individual’s overall career history accumulated within the financial services industry in its totality.
The SFC will critically review cases for inconsistencies, e.g., where the individual claims industry experience with any firm that has been dormant for a prolonged period of time or the individual has a pattern of changing accreditations within short intervals of time.
Management experience
At least 2 years. The existing guidelines do not clearly define how this criteria can be satisfied.At least 2 years. The revised guidelines contain more detailed explanation and clarification of this criteria. Management experience refers to hands-on experience supervising and managing essential regulated functions or projects in a business setting.
Purely administrative functions (e.g., human resources or office administration) will not normally be accepted. Non-exhaustive examples of management experience include:
• Experience as senior management (e.g., Chief Executive, Business Head or Chief Operating Officer) of an LC, RI or a corporation within the financial industry supervising the performance of regulated activities or financial services
• Experience in supervising an investment team in the
performance of an investment function, whether regulated or not
ExistingNew
RIQ or Extra CPT
No mandatory RIQ requirement unless the individual relies on the RIQ to meet the academic/industry qualification criteria under Option 1.
Extra CPT is not a criterion under the existing regime.
Option A: Not required
Option B: Either obtained relevant RIQ or completed relevant Extra CPT
Option C:
• For individuals who have at least 3 years of relevant industry experience over the past 6 years: Obtained relevant RIQ
• For individuals who have at least 5 years of relevant industry experience over the past 8 years: Completed relevant Extra CPT
Passing local regulatory framework paper
Pass in the local regulatory exams for the relevant regulated activityPass in the local regulatory exams for the relevant regulated activity

LRs and Rels

ExistingNew
Academic/Professional qualification
There are 3 options (and Option 3 permits entrants with no minimum academic/industry qualification requirement):
Option 1: Any of the following:
• Degree in the designated fields (Accounting, Business
Administration, Economics, Finance and Law)
• Other degree with passes in at least 2 courses in the designated fields
• Professional qualifications in law, accounting or finance
Option 2:
• Passes in Chinese/English and Mathematics in HKCEE or equivalent
Option 3:
• If the individual does not hold any of the above academic qualifications, they can still meet the competence requirements provided that they have acquired either a RIQ and/or satisfy the relevant industry experience requirements.
There are 3 options (and there is now a minimum academic requirement under all options):
Option A: Any of the following:
• Degree in the designated fields (Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance and Law). If an applicant, who is a degree holder has attained a postgraduate diploma or certificate that is: (a) issued by a university or other similar tertiary institution in Hong Kong or elsewhere; or (b) recognised as Level 6 or above under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong, then the postgraduate diploma or certificate will also be taken into account.
• Other degree with passes in at least 2 courses in the designated fields
• Professional qualifications in law, accounting or finance
Option B:
• Degree in fields other than the designated fields (without passes in 2 courses in the designated fields)
Option C: Any of the following:
• Level 2 in Chinese/English and Mathematics in the HKDSE
• Grade E or above in Chinese/English and Mathematics in the HKCEE
• Passes in Chinese/English and Mathematics in other high school public examinations in Hong Kong or elsewhere equivalent to HKDSE
Relevant industry experience
Years of experience required varies depending on the academic qualifications of the individual (see above).
Option 1: No minimum requirement
Option 2:
• Without relevant RIQ: At least 2 years over the past 5 years
• With relevant RIQ: No minimum requirement
Option 3:
• Without relevant RIQ: At least 5 years over the past 8 years
• With relevant RIQ: At least 2 years over the past 5 years
Years of experience required varies depending on the academic qualifications of the individual (see above), as well as, in the case of Options B and C, the individual’s relevant RIQ or completion of Extra CPT.
Option A: No minimum requirement
Option B: 
• Without relevant RIQ or Extra CPT: At least 2 years over the past 5 years
• With relevant RIQ or Extra CPT: No minimum requirement
ExistingNew
 Option C:
• Without relevant RIQ but with Extra CPT: At least 2 years over the past 5 years
• With relevant RIQ: No minimum requirement
RIQ or Extra CPT
Extra CPT is not a criterion under the existing regime. The RIQ requirement varies depending on the academic qualifications and relevant industry experience of the individual.
Option 1: Not required
Option 2: Relevant RIQ may be obtained in substitution for the required relevant industry experience
Option 3: Relevant RIQ will reduce the years of relevant industry experience required
Option A: Not required
Option B:
• For individuals who have at least 2 years of relevant industry experience over the past 5 years: No relevant RIQ or Extra CPT required
• For individuals who have no relevant industry experience:
Either obtained a relevant RIQ or completed relevant Extra CPT
Option C:
• For individuals who have at least 2 years of relevant industry experience over the past 5 years: Completed relevant Extra
CPT
• For individuals who have no relevant industry experience:
Obtained relevant RIQ
Passing local regulatory framework paper
Pass in the local regulatory exams for the relevant regulated activityPass in the local regulatory exams for the relevant regulated activity

ROs and EOs proposing to advise on Takeovers Codes matters in a sole capacity (“TCRO”) will be required to fulfil either of the following options.

Enhanced competence requirements in relation to advising on the Takeovers Codes

Option 1:
• At least five continuous years of corporate finance experience immediately preceding the date of application
• Substantially involved in at least two completed Takeovers Codes transactions (involving the issue of an offer document, offeree board circular, whitewash circular, share buy-back offer document or off-market share buy-back circular) within the last five years immediately preceding the TCRO appointment

Option 2:
• Member of the Takeovers and Mergers Panel in Hong Kong for two years within the last five years preceding the TCRO appointment

LRs and Rels intending to undertake Takeovers Codes transactions (TC Transaction) work will be required to take and pass an examination that specifically focuses on the Takeovers Codes (i.e., the Hong Kong Securities Institute (HKSI) LE Paper 17) not more than three years prior to, and not later than six months after the date of their first engagement (i.e., the first time that an individual is engaged in a TC Transaction as a member of a transaction team following 1 January 2022). TCROs are exempted from passing HKSI LE Paper 17. ROs or EOs in a ‘non-sole capacity’ will not be exempted.

The SFC has separately noted in the Conclusions that they are not introducing any changes to the existing competence requirements for sponsors and their principals as part of this consultation process.

Grandfathering arrangement – How do the above requirements affect existing licensed/formerly licensed personnel?

The SFC will implement a grandfathering arrangement for licensees who have been licensed before 1 January 2022 but will no longer meet the new minimum academic requirements. For an RO/EO applicant, the SFC will consider their application if they have acquired at least eight years of relevant industry experience in the regulated activity concerned over the past 11 years and have met the management experience and local regulatory framework paper (“LRP”) requirements. For an LR/Rel applicant, the SFC will consider their application if they have (a) acquired either: (i) at least five years of relevant industry experience in the regulated activity concerned over the past eight years; or (ii) at least two years of relevant industry experience over the past five years and obtained the relevant RIQ; and (b) met the LRP requirements.

Individuals who have engaged in TC Transaction work as a Type 6 LR/Rel in at least one completed TC Transaction throughout the duration of that transaction within the three years preceding 1 January 2022 are exempt from passing HKSI LE Paper 17.

CPT Guidelines changes

The SFC has also enhanced the continuing professional training (CPT) requirements within the CPT Guidelines for individuals. We summarise the changes as follows:

ExistingNew
Undertake a minimum of 5 CPT hours per calendar year ‘per regulated activity’ except Type 7 regulated activity. Regulated activities are classified into competence groups for the purposes of meeting the requirements. Where a particular course is relevant to more than one competence group, CPT may be claimed in respect of all the relevant regulated activities. Whilst there are general requirements, there are no specific requirements on training on ‘ethics’, ‘compliance’ and ‘regulatory compliance’.The CPT requirements will be determined ‘per individual’. • Each LR and Rel will be required to complete a minimum of 10 CPT hours per calendar year, with ROs and EOs to complete two additional CPT hours on ‘regulatory compliance’. Out of the 10 CPT hours (for LRs and Rels) and 12 CPT hours (for ROs and EOs), at least 5 CPT hours must be on topics directly relevant to the regulated activities for which an individual is licensed at the time the CPT hours are undertaken. As a general principle, such CPT hours should be allocated to cover the practice areas of the individual in proportion to the time and effort that they spend in each
area. In this regard, individuals who engage in sponsor and Takeovers Codes matters should attend training on specific topics that amount to at least 2.5 CPT hours per annum. Within 12 months after an individual first joins the industry in Hong Kong as an LR/ReI/EO/RO, they must undertake 2 CPT hours on ‘ethics’. Thereafter they must complete at least 2 CPT hours per calendar year on topics relating to ‘ethics’ or ‘compliance’

Implementation timeline

The new requirements will take effect in January 2022.

Next steps 

The SFC has acknowledged that the changes to the Guidelines are extensive and accordingly, it may publish further guidance in the form of frequently asked questions or provide separate training sessions to facilitate a more complete understanding of the new requirements. Financial intermediaries and industry practitioners subject to the Guidelines on Competence should:

• Continue to monitor developments from the SFC.
• Consider the new or revised requirements and ensure that they are reflected in the human resources guidelines and training policies and procedures.
• Consider the implications on existing and new personnel (including the new examination requirements on Takeovers Codes staff).
• Revisit the training programs to cater for the new CPT requirements (including on ‘ethics’, ‘compliance’, ‘regulatory compliance’ and other topics that are directly relevant to the regulated activities in question) for new joiners and existing staff.

To discuss how our experience can assist you, or if you have any questions on any of the matters above, please do not hesitate to liaise with your usual contact at Baker McKenzie or the lawyers listed in this Alert.

Author

Karen Man is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Financial Services group, leading the non-contentious Financial Services Regulatory practice. Her clients include global, Chinese and local banks, fund managers, brokers/dealers, money service operators and fintech firms. Karen is admitted to practice in Hong Kong, the UK, and Australia.

Author

Grace Fung is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Financial Services group.

Author

Aaron Dauber is a Registered Foreign Lawyer and the Knowledge Lawyer for Baker McKenzie's non-contentious Financial Services Regulatory practice. He is responsible for monitoring and training on regulatory change, legal content projects and other knowledge initiatives to support the firm and our clients. Aaron's experience includes over 13 years' as an in-house counsel responsible for legal support to businesses across the Asia Pacific region including Japan and Australia with a global systemically important bank.

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