Moreover, the aim of deposit protection is to protect small retail depositors, i.e. depositors with deposits of less than $ and DTCs and RLB do not have such depositors. However, the issue of whether their exclusion from coverage might adversely affect the business of RLBs and DTCs needs to be considered. Certainly one might argue that as the first $ of deposits of over $ with licensed banks would be covered, the same should apply to deposits with RLBs and DTCs. This is something that we will consider further in the light of the views that have been expressed. 5. Moving on to the issue of deregulation, July, of course, will see the full abolition of controls on interest rates. This is highly significant, as such controls are surely inimical to Hong Kong’s free competition ethos. Certainly this change in the status quo will provide certain challenges for institutions, but in the long run the competition, innovation and efficiency that the removal of such barriers will engender will help to keep Hong Kong’s banking sector competitive and profitable. We also, as you know, hold the view that some greater consolidation among the local banks would be desirable from this point of view, although we have not forced the issue. This is something, however, to which we would urge bank owners to give careful thought. 6. It is clear that as part of the process of deregulation of interest rates banks will be considering revising certain fees and charges. This, of course, is understandable.
Joseph Yam, JP: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s main initiatives in the area of banking supervision Speech by Mr Joseph Yam, JP, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), at a lunch with representatives of the Finance Constituency organised by Dr David Li, held in Hong Kong on 15 January 2001. The speech outlines the latest state of play on the HKMA’s current initiatives in the area of banking supervision, as well as responding to some points raised by Dr Li on behalf of the Finance Constituency. *  *  *  1. I would like to thank David Li for arranging today’s lunch with representatives of the Finance Constituency. The number of live issues in the realm of bank supervision, some of which have been set down in David’s letter in advance of this lunch, is currently quite considerable, so it is useful to have this opportunity to get together to exchange views. As you will know, it is very much our style to work in close collaboration with the banking industry on developing our policies rather than to adopt a confrontational approach, and long may this continue. 2. Let me run through what I see as the HKMA’s main initiatives in the bank supervision area in the next twelve months, in the course of which I will try to pick up some of the points made in David’s letter.