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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (March 24) published quarterly statistics on stored value facilities (SVF) schemes issued by SVF licensees for the first time.
      
     The SVF scheme statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on SVF schemes issued by the fifteen SVF licensees (Note 1). The statistics, covering the period of the fourth quarter of 2016, are published to enhance transparency of the SVF industry in Hong Kong (Note 2).  Due to different commencement dates, not all SVF licensees have operated SVF scheme(s) throughout the entire fourth quarter of 2016.
      
Notes:
 

1. The SVF scheme statistics are compiled from data on SVF schemes issued by the fifteen SVF licensees. The SVF licensees, in alphabetical order, are 33 Financial Services Limited, Alipay Financial Services (HK) Limited, Autotoll Limited, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd., Dah Sing Bank, Limited, ePaylinks Technology Co., Limited, HKT Payment Limited, K & R International Limited, Money Data Limited, Octopus Cards Limited, Optal Asia Limited, PayPal Hong Kong Limited, TNG (Asia) Limited, Transforex (Hong Kong) Investment Consulting Co., Limited, and UniCard Solution Limited.
    
2. The following terms in the Annex follow their definitions in the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance regarding a stored value facility:

• Float means the stored value remaining on the facility but does not include any SVF deposit;
• SVF deposit means a deposit placed with the licensee, or another person on behalf of the licensee, for enabling the facility to be used.

Ends/Friday, March 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:15

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