Core Insights - The Hong Kong insurance market is expected to experience a historic surge in 2024, with new premiums reaching HKD 219.8 billion, a 21.4% increase from HKD 180.7 billion in 2023, marking the first time it surpasses HKD 200 billion and setting a new record [1][2] - Mainland visitors contributed HKD 62.8 billion in premiums, a 6.5% increase from HKD 59 billion in 2023, accounting for 28.6% of total premiums in Hong Kong [1][2] - The rise in demand for insurance from mainland residents is attributed to lower interest rates in mainland China, leading to a strong need for wealth management and diversified currency policies [2] Insurance Market Dynamics - The structure of new premiums in 2024 shows that USD policies accounted for 78.9%, HKD policies for 15.7%, and RMB policies for 3.9% [2] - The flexibility of asset selection in Hong Kong insurance products and the ability to cater to cross-border asset allocation needs have significantly increased the attractiveness of these products for high-net-worth individuals from mainland China [2] Illegal Forex Exchange Activities - A criminal group exploited the surge in mainland residents purchasing insurance in Hong Kong by offering illegal foreign exchange services disguised as insurance premium payments, leading to significant financial misconduct [3][4] - The group, consisting of high-earning insurance professionals, utilized coded language and offshore communication tools to facilitate these illegal transactions, which involved transferring funds between domestic and foreign accounts to evade regulatory scrutiny [3][4] Regulatory Response and Market Impact - The illegal forex exchange activities have raised concerns about the security of funds and the potential for these operations to be linked to other criminal activities, such as money laundering and fraud [6][7] - Regulatory measures are being enhanced to address these illegal practices, with a focus on maintaining the integrity of the foreign exchange market and preventing financial crimes [7][8] - The introduction of the Cross-Border Payment System in June 2025 aims to provide a more convenient and cost-effective channel for small cross-border payments, which may help mitigate the demand for illegal forex exchanges [8]