20th Anniversary of Deposit Protection Scheme
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) is marking its 20th anniversary on September 25, 2026.
Over the past 20 years, the DPS has served the vital role of helping to bolster confidence in the banking system, with significant enhancements in coverage, operational efficiency and public awareness. In particular:
- Protection limit increased from HK$100,000 in 2006 to HK$500,000 in 2011, and further to HK$800,000in 2024.These increases exceeded cumulative inflation over the corresponding periods, thereby enhancing the real value of deposit protection;
- Total amount of protected deposits increased by seven-fold, from HK$452billion in 2006 to HK$3,656 billion in 2025. Currently, 92.5 per centof depositors are fully protected, which is in line with international standards;
- Gross payout approach in determining compensation has been adopted since 2016, and this has substantially shortened the target payout timeframe from 42 days to seven days;
- Electronic payment channels (including the Faster Payment System) for disbursing compensation have been added since 2021, which can further shorten the payout process by one to two days as compared withthe use of paper cheques alone; and
- Public awareness of the DPS increased from 67.2 per centin 2006 to around 80 per centin recent years, and public confidence in the DPS reached a record high of 86.7 per centin 2025, as a result of continued efforts of the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board (the Board) to promote understanding of the DPS.
The Chairman of the Board,Ms Connie Lau,said, "As the Guardian of Deposits, the Board has worked earnestly over the past two decades to ensure that depositors can save with confidence. With DPS entering its next chapter, I look forward to further reinforcement of its role in providing protection to depositors and supporting Hong Kong's banking stability."
The Chief Executive Officer of the Board,Mr Donald Chen,said, "Having an effective and efficient DPS is key to maintaining public confidence in the banking system. We will keep up our efforts in ensuring that the Scheme continues to perform its important function efficaciously amid evolving financial developments."
Riding on the 20th anniversary of the DPS, the Board has been launching a number of publicity and community education initiatives to enhance public understanding of and confidence in the DPS. The Board's website has also been revamped to enhance user experience and make information on the DPS more readily accessible to the general public and other stakeholders.
The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) is marking its 20th anniversary on September 25, 2026. Photo shows the DPS's 20th anniversary promotional tram travelling across Hong Kong Island. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) is marking its 20th anniversary on September 25, 2026. Photo shows the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (centre); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board (the Board), Ms Connie Lau (fourth right); and the Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Mr Donald Chen (fourth left), together with members of the Board, at the launch of the DPS's 20th anniversary promotional video. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
