HKMA and HKAB Launch Guidelines for Elderly-Friendly and Barrier-Free Banking Services

Banking industry introduces enhancements to elderly-friendly and barrier-free services

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) announced today (January 21) that the banking industry will implement the Guideline on Elderly-friendly Banking Services and the second edition of the Practical Guideline on Barrier-free Banking Services to strengthen support for the elderly and customers with impairment in accessing banking services. Both industry guidelines are issued by the HKAB and endorsed by the HKMA.

The Guideline on Elderly-friendly Banking Services aims to establish pragmatic elderly-friendly standards in support of the Government's efforts in promoting silver economy (Note 1), which sets out eight core principles (Note 2)and a number of recommended good practices for implementation by banks. It also aims at enhancing elderly customers' financial literacy and digital adoption through strengthening financial education. The second edition of the Practical Guideline on Barrier-free Banking Services introduces enhancements to barrier-free banking services, with a view to facilitating access to appropriate banking services for customers with different needs, including persons with physical, visual and hearing impairments, as well as the elderly.

Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuensaid, "The HKMA has been working closely with the banking industry to promote financial inclusion. Building on the industry's practical experience accumulated over the years, the two guidelines cover multiple measures that help further enhance customers' banking experience. The HKMA expects banks to continue upholding the principle of treating customers fairly amid the development of digital services, and to provide more convenient and inclusive banking services for the elderly and other customers with special needs."

The Chairman of the HKAB, and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong),Mr Sun Yu,said, "To foster a more customer-friendly service environment and provide appropriate banking services for elderly customers and those with special needs, the HKAB has worked closely with regulators and relevant stakeholders to proactively introduce related measures, with a view to offering more caring and convenient banking services. The HKAB will continue to enhance the relevant service guidelines to keep up with social and technological changes, further driving the development of financial inclusion."

Note 1: The introduction of an industry guideline for elderly-friendly banking services was set out in the 2025-26 Budget.

Note 2: The eight core principles include digital enablement, accessibility of basic services, distribution of physical banking facilities, transparency of authorisation information, education and outreach, staff training, customer communication and protection, as well as elderly-friendly design.

Source: AI-created image

Government responds to Coroner's verdict on death inquest for vessel collision incident near Lamma Island in 2012

The Coroner's Court today (January 21) returned the verdict on the cause of death of the passengers involved in the vessel collision incident near Lamma Island in 2012.

A Government spokesman said the Government is closely monitoring the delivery of the verdict. After the incident, the Police commenced criminal investigation and arrested the coxswain of "Sea Smooth", Lai Sai-ming, and the coxswain of "Lamma IV", Chow Chi-wai, in October 2012. In February 2015, Chow was convicted of Endangering the Safety of Others at Sea and Lai was convicted of 39 counts of Manslaughter and a count of Endangering the Safety of Others at Sea. Separately, former senior ship inspector of the Marine Department (MD)Wong Kam-chingand the then Assistant Director of Marine, So Ping-chi,were under arrest in March 2015, and were subsequently convicted of the offence of Perjury and offence of Misconduct in Public Office in February and June 2016 respectively. So was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment (his appeal succeeded and his sentence was reduced to 4.5 months) and Wong was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment. When considering whether to conduct a death inquest in 2020, the Coroner's Court ruled the deaths as unlawful killing.

The spokesman added that the Government attaches great importance to the incident, after which investigations at various levels have been conducted. The MD has implemented all practicable recommendations in the investigation reports to enhance maritime safety to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.

The delivery of the verdict is to be continued. The Government will continue to study the judgement.

Source: AI-found images