Digital Banking Licences have arrived for non-bank players in Singapore

On 28 June 2019, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that it will issue up to five new digital bank licences, which will effectively open digital banking business to non-bank players in Singapore. Announcing the measures at the 46th Annual Dinner of The Association of Banks in Singapore, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Chairman of MAS, said that “the new digital bank licences mark the next chapter in Singapore’s banking liberalisation journey. They will ensure that Singapore’s banking sector continues to be resilient, competitive and vibrant.” MAS expects to invite applications for the licences in August 2019.

Similarly, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) granted eight virtual banking licences (from 29 applications) earlier this year and sees the introduction of virtual banks in Hong Kong as a key pillar supporting Hong Kong’s entry into the “smart banking era”.

1. What are digital banks?

Digital banks (also known as virtual banks) will not need to maintain any bricks-and-mortar presence, although, generally, they do have the option of having a customer service centre. They can provide loans, and operate savings accounts with no minimum account balance or low-balance fees. Generally, they can also issue credit cards or offer online payment services.

2. MAS’ digital bank licences

MAS’ five new digital bank licences will comprise of:

1. up to two digital full bank licences, which will allow licensees to provide a wide range of financial services and take deposits from retail customers; and
2. up to three digital wholesale bank licences, which will allow licensees to serve small to medium enterprises and other non-retail segments.

3. MAS’ digital full bank framework

Am I eligible?

Application for a digital full bank licence will be open to:

1. Singapore headquartered companies, which are controlled by Singaporeans; and
2. foreign companies if they form a joint venture with a Singapore company, and the joint venture meets the headquarter and control requirements referred to in (a).

What is the application process?

The applicant or its parent group must:

1. have a track record in operating an existing business in their respective technology or e-commerce fields;
2. provide clear value propositions on how it can serve existing unmet or underserved needs;
3. demonstrate that it has a sustainable digital banking business model. MAS will assess the reasonableness of the applicant’s business plans and financial projections such as cost-to-income ratio and net interest margin;
4. incorporate in Singapore;
5. participate in the deposit insurance scheme provided by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (this will protect deposits of up to S$75,000 per depositor in the event of the bank’s failure);
6. comply with the same suite of prudential rules as incumbent banks; and
7. submit a viable exit plan to facilitate an orderly wind-up if necessary.

What are the phases of permissible activities?

The table below illustrates MAS’ two-stage process for digital full banks with the corresponding permissible activities and requirements at each stage.

4. MAS’ digital wholesale bank framework

Am I eligible?

Application for digital wholesale bank licences is open to both Singapore and foreign companies. The applicant will need to meet similar eligibility criteria as a digital full bank applicant.

What is the application process?

The applicant or its parent group must:

1. be locally incorporated; and
2. provide a viable exit plan.

What are the phases of permissible activities?

The table below illustrates the permissible activities and requirements for digital wholesale banks.

5. Assistance

We have called on our deep understanding of the commercial drivers of IT procurement and outsourcing, our financial services regulatory expertise, our corporate structuring experience, and our broad geographical footprint through Singapore, Hong Kong, China and beyond to establish a team capable of delivering complete, accurate, and commercial advice in relation to assisting our clients obtain virtual banking licences and work towards a successful launch.

In Hong Kong in particular, our team has been advising several virtual bank licence holders on all aspects of the process, including:

1. applications to the regulator to obtain a virtual bank licence;
2. corporate structuring;
3. procurement of the IT infrastructure necessary to support the virtual bank; and
4. compliance with the regulations governing virtual banks (including in relation to financial services regulatory, data protection, information security and cloud computing arrangements etc).

Should you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact us.