Taking it slow

Hong Kong's banks are, for the most part, targeting the standardised approach outlined in the new Basel capital Accord, but it is hoped that this will act as a catalyst for the further improvements in risk management.

With less than a year to go until the final Basel II requirements are published, and with implementation scheduled for the end of 2006, it seems most of Hong Kong’s banks have now decided on which approach they will adopt. With a shortage of default data to some extent limiting their options, most of the territory’s banks have set their sights on the standardised approach to managing risk.

Exceptions to the rule are likely to be the international groups with significant operations in Hong