Hong Kong digital banks launch faces delay due to protests - sources

Anti-government protesters walk past the Bank of China Tower as they attend a demonstration in Hong Kong, China, September 15, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah

HONG KONG (Reuters) - The launch of new online-only banks in Hong Kong is expected to be delayed in part due to anti-government protests in the city, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Most of the eight newly licensed digital banks in Hong Kong, including joint ventures involving Standard Chartered and Bank of China Hong Kong <2388.HK>, had aimed to begin operating before the end of 2019.