Opening a Corporate Bank Account in Hong Kong

SMEs account for a large percentage of companies in Hong Kong and are a significant customer base for banks.

Excellent cash management facilities, Internet banking that helps keep track of money movements, trade financing, short term and long term loans are the key finance requirements of any enterprise.

Opening a corporate bank account is a relatively simple and straightforward procedure. However, before you can open an account with a particular bank, it is important to be aware of what your banking needs are, so that you can match those needs with what each bank offers.

Note that the information presented here is for general guidance only and if you have some questions, feel free to contact us.

Account Opening Requirements in Hong Kong

Most banks in Hong Kong will require Hong Kong private limited companies and offshore companies to submit the following documents and information in order to open a corporate bank account.

Documents Required to open a corporate bank account in Hong Kong

Bank account opening form that has been duly completed and signed by authorized signatories, as per the Board resolution.

•  An extract of the board resolution approving the opening of a corporate bank account.
• A certified true copy of the company’s Certificate of Incorporation, issued by the Companies Registry.
• A certified true copy of the company’s Business Registration Certificate, issued by the Inland Revenue Department.
• A certified true copy of the company’s Articles of Association.
• A director declaration that provides the personal particulars of directors and principal shareholders. A principal shareholder is a person entitled to exercise or control the exercise of 10% or more of the company’s voting rights.
• A copy of the Hong Kong identity card or passport; residential proof such as utility bills, bank statements, driving license etc.; and former name or alias proof (if applicable) for each of the directors, authorized signatories, principal shareholders and beneficial owners of corporate shareholders.
• A list of specimen signatures of authorized signatories.
• Proof of business such as business plan or audited financial statements.
• For corporate shareholders of the company: A certified copy of an organization chart that shows the percentage of shareholdings held by each individual and the ultimate beneficial owners of the company.
• Details of ultimate beneficial owners for nominee shareholders of a company.
• For ultimate beneficiaries who are trusts: A certified copy of the trust deed or declaration of trust with details of the trustees, settlers and beneficiaries.

Important note: The copies of all documents submitted must be certified by either a certified public accountant, company secretary, lawyer or banker.

Other Requirements

• In addition to the above-mentioned documents, most banks in Hong Kong will require an initial minimum deposit in order to open the bank account.
• Offshore companies that are opening a corporate bank account in Hong Kong will need to submit a Certificate of Incumbency and Certificate of Good Standing in addition to the normal documents.
• Almost all banks in Hong Kong follow strict due diligence procedures and require the account signatories, principal directors and shareholders to be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of opening the corporate bank account. However, some banks may authorize the opening of a corporate bank account without the need for directors, shareholders and signatories to be physically present in Hong Kong. The documents can be signed at one the bank’s overseas branches in the presence of a witness.

Hong Kong Company formation and Opening a bank account online

If you would like to open a corporate bank account online in Hong Kong, contact us.

Corporate Bank Account Features of Major Hong Kong Banks

Local Banks