Six major banks to reopen all branches in Hong Kong

On April 19, six of the largest banks in Hong Kong will reopen their branches as the city's vaccination rate has risen and COVID-19 cases have eased, according to an SCMP report. In separate statements, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Bank of China (Hong Kong, and the city's three currency-issuing banks, said they will fully restore their branch operations next week. The move comes as Hong Kong prepares to relax some of its social-distancing rules on the back of improved vaccination rates and a slowing caseload. These six major lenders have a combined 687 branches, accounting for 62% of the total 1,100 branches in Hong Kong.