01 / New Application or Acquisition of a Licensed Company?
A new application is suited to establishing an entity, policies and technology environment around your own business. An acquisition may offer an opportunity to assess an existing company’s operational foundation, but it does not automatically bypass review of new controllers, business-change requirements or renewed bank KYC.
The target company’s permitted scope, clients and risk profile must match your plan. A valid licence does not mean there are no complaints, liabilities or remediation matters; having no operating history does not mean there is no risk.
02 / Due Diligence Scope to Cover Before a Transaction
- Regulatory: Public registers, licence copies, conditions, validity periods, filings, inspections, remediation and enforcement materials.
- Corporate: Shareholding, beneficial owners, directors, charges, group affiliations, contracts and authorisations.
- Financial: Accounts, tax, debts, client funds, unsettled amounts, loan portfolios and contingent liabilities.
- AML/CFT: Risk assessments, customer due diligence, monitoring, training, records and implementation of remediation.
- Operations: Premises, key personnel, banking and payment channels, systems, outsourcing, data, complaints and litigation.
Records subject to confidentiality or statutory restrictions must be verified appropriately; sellers cannot be asked to disclose information unlawfully. Define the scope of professional due diligence with independent lawyers, accountants, and relevant experts.
03 / Change approvals, notifications and conditions precedent to completion
The change rules for the SVF, MSO and money lender regimes differ. Changes to controllers, directors, partners, business premises, scope of business or name may require prior consent, an application or notification within a specified period. Filing company change notices with the Companies Registry does not replace the requirements at the financial licensing level.
Before signing transaction documents, establish a change matrix: who submits the application, which approval is required, when completion may take place, how to exit if approval is not obtained, and who will continue operating and assume the obligations before completion. Avoid buying first and notifying later, and do not use general commercial contracts to circumvent regulatory conditions.
04 / Acquisition Process and Post-Completion Handover
- Requirements and screening Determine the fit between the business and the required licences, the budget, the scope of disclosure and preliminary exclusion factors.
- Confidentiality and data room Review materials with appropriate authorisation, without disclosing sensitive information about the seller or clients.
- Independent due diligence Prepare a risk checklist covering regulatory, legal, financial, tax, technical and operational matters.
- Conditions precedent and regulatory engagement Set genuine conditions precedent, including approvals, personnel, premises, funds and bank review.
- Completion and ongoing management Complete updates to controllers and related information, and take over records, policies, complaints, filings and service continuity.
05 / Previously submitted sales information: a historical reference, not real-time inventory
The user’s websites have featured information on the transfer of an MSO-licensed company, a money changer in Sham Shui Po, a money changer and remittance shop in Kowloon, and a money lender company. These pages illustrate different acquisition scenarios, but the status, price, financial information and licence information of each target must be re-verified.
MSO Company Share Acquisition
First check the licence against the entity, business model and controllers’ assessments; no account or partner arrangement is guaranteed to remain available throughout a transaction.
Currency Exchange Shops and Remittance Services
In addition to equity, check the premises, lease, staff, cash management, customer records and historical compliance.
Money Lender Business Acquisition
Review the loan portfolio, loan agreements, interest and fees, complaints and recourse, and current licence conditions.
This website does not display “asking prices” or company names that have not been verified as authorised for sale by the current seller. Please book an appointment to request an assessment tailored to your business.
Official Sources and Information Disclaimer
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority | Register of SVF Licensees ↗ · Official public source · Verified by this site on 2026-11-01
- Hong Kong Customs | Money Service Operator Licensing System ↗ · Official public source · Checked by this website on 2026-11-01
- Companies Registry | Money Lenders licensing authority ↗ · Official public sources · Checked by this site on 2026-11-01
Map your business facts to the licensing requirements
For an application, acquisition or ongoing compliance, first provide details of the business model, fund flows, entities and personnel.
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