661201Investment banking activities
投資銀行活動
IRD business nature helper
Business Registration wording for this activity
The business nature on your Business Registration Certificate is limited to 60 English characters printed over two 30-character lines, and 30 Chinese characters. Test your wording below.
54/60 charactersFits the certificate
6/30 characters
Certificate preview
Business Registration Certificate
商業登記證 (layout preview)
Nature of business 業務性質
The IRD prints the English business nature across two lines of 30 characters. Text that cannot break cleanly at a word boundary gets wrapped or truncated on the printed certificate.
Compliance and incorporation playbook
Licences and regulatory approvals
Activities under this code trigger the following licensing regimes. Emerhub prepares and files each application on your behalf.
SFC Licence for Type 1 Regulated Activity (Dealing in Securities)
Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
Required for corporations that trade, broker or distribute securities in Hong Kong, including stockbrokers, placing agents and securities dealers. Licensing is under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) and firms must meet the Securities and Futures (Financial Resources) Rules on an ongoing basis.
- Capital requirement
- HKD 5M paid-up share capital + HKD 3M liquid capital (standard); HKD 10M paid-up if providing securities margin financing or acting as custodian of a private OFC; no paid-up requirement and HKD 500K liquid capital for approved introducing agents or proprietary traders
- Processing time
- Approximately 15 weeks for a licensed corporation application (SFC published estimate)
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
SFC Licence for Type 6 Regulated Activity (Advising on Corporate Finance)
Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
Required for corporations advising on corporate finance matters such as takeovers, mergers, listings and compliance with the Listing Rules, including IPO sponsors and corporate finance advisory firms. Sponsors of listing applications face higher capital requirements under the Financial Resources Rules.
Applies to corporate finance advisory and IPO sponsorship work
- Capital requirement
- Non-sponsor not holding client assets: no paid-up capital + HKD 100K liquid capital; non-sponsor holding client assets: HKD 5M paid-up + HKD 3M liquid capital; sponsor: HKD 10M paid-up + HKD 3M liquid capital (HKD 100K liquid if not holding client assets)
- Processing time
- Approximately 15 weeks for a licensed corporation application (SFC published estimate)
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Offshore profits claim feasibility
MediumInvestment banking activities often involve negotiations and transactions that are conducted in Hong Kong. While some aspects can be performed offshore, the nature of the services typically requires a presence in Hong Kong to engage with local clients and regulatory bodies.
Profits Tax Return deadlines under the Block Extension Scheme
With Emerhub as your tax representative, the filing deadline for the Profits Tax Return (BIR51) extends far beyond the standard one month, depending on your accounting year-end. A 31 December year-end extends the filing to August of the following year.
| Year-end | IRD code | Without representative | With Emerhub as tax rep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 30 November | N | Within 1 month of return issue | No block extension: early May of the following year |
| 1 December to 31 December | D | Within 1 month of return issue | Mid-August of the following year |
| 1 January to 31 March | M | Within 1 month of return issue | Mid-November of the same year |
Inland Revenue Department, Block Extension SchemeVerified 2026-07-14
Standing compliance calendar
These obligations apply to every Hong Kong company regardless of industry. Each fact links to its primary government source.
Two-tiered profits tax
Incorporated businesses pay 8.25% profits tax on the first HKD 2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% on the remainder. Only one entity within a group can elect the two-tiered rates.
Inland Revenue DepartmentVerified 2026-07-14
Annual Return (Form NAR1)
A private company delivers its Annual Return to the Companies Registry within 42 days of each anniversary of incorporation. Emerhub prepares and files the NAR1 as part of company secretary service, so the deadline never reaches your calendar.
Companies RegistryVerified 2026-07-14
Business Registration Certificate renewal
Every business carries a valid Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department, renewed on a 1-year or 3-year cycle. Emerhub handles the renewal filing and keeps the certificate current.
Inland Revenue DepartmentVerified 2026-07-14
Significant Controllers Register
Every Hong Kong company keeps a Significant Controllers Register identifying persons with more than 25% ownership or control, available for law-enforcement inspection at its registered office. A designated representative must be appointed; Emerhub acts as designated representative for client companies.
Companies RegistryVerified 2026-07-14
Company secretary requirement
Every Hong Kong company appoints a company secretary resident in Hong Kong. A corporate secretary must hold a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licence. Emerhub is a licensed TCSP and acts as company secretary for client companies.
Companies RegistryVerified 2026-07-14
MPF enrolment for employees
Employers enrol every Hong Kong employee aged 18 to 64 employed for 60 days or more in an MPF scheme. Employer and employee each contribute 5% of relevant income, capped at HKD 1,500 per month each. Emerhub administers MPF enrolment and monthly contributions under its payroll service.
Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes AuthorityVerified 2026-07-14
Annual audit with SME reporting exemption
Every Hong Kong company files audited financial statements; there is no small-company audit exemption as in Singapore. Small private companies meeting any two of revenue at or below HKD 100 million, assets at or below HKD 100 million, or 100 or fewer employees qualify for the reporting exemption and prepare simplified accounts under the SME Financial Reporting Standard, which lowers audit preparation cost. Emerhub structures client accounts under the reporting exemption wherever the criteria are met.
Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.359Verified 2026-07-14
This classification includes
- financial asset securitisation activities 金融資產證券化活動
- investment banking activities 投資銀行活動
- securities underwriters 證券包銷商
- sponsors in share offering and listing 股份發售及上市保薦人
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license for investment banking?
Yes, investment banking activities in Hong Kong require a license from the Securities and Futures Commission.
What are the tax implications for my business?
Profits derived from investment banking activities are subject to Hong Kong profits tax unless qualifying for offshore treatment.
Can I operate this business remotely?
While some operations can be managed remotely, a physical presence in Hong Kong is often necessary for client engagement and compliance.
Incorporate in Hong Kong
Starting a investment banking activities business in Hong Kong?
Emerhub incorporates your company, registers the business nature above with the IRD, files every licence application, and runs your company secretary and compliance calendar. You provide the documents; Emerhub handles every government interaction.
Start incorporation with Emerhub