WMC-13 (O) (9-2010) (e)

 

Master Conditions (Securities, Deposit Products, Options and Investment Funds)

 

CMB WING LUNG BANK LIMITED of 45 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong, is a licensed bank under the Banking Ordinance and a registered institution under the Securities and Futures Ordinance, CE Number AAF294. In these Master Conditions, "we", "us" and "our" refer to CMB Wing Lung Bank Ltd. "You" and "your" refer to the client who has signed these Conditions.

 

You agree that:

 

(a)      Part 1 of these Master Conditions applies to all cash accounts ("Securities Accounts") (if any) with us for the trading of and investments in bonds, notes, debentures and other securities other than unit trusts, mutual funds and collective investment schemes ("securities") on your behalf.

 

(b)     Part 2 applies to all accounts for the custody of securities ("Custody Accounts") (if any) in your name with us. (If applicable) The signing arrangements of the Settlement Account referred to in paragraph (d) below will apply to your Custody Accounts.  

 

(c)      Part 3, together with the relevant Confirmation, governs each equity-linked deposit, currency-linked deposit, share option or currency option made with us which is expressed to be subject to these Conditions. In the event of inconsistency between the terms of a Confirmation and the provisions of these Conditions, the terms of the Confirmation shall prevail; and

 

(d)     Part 4 applies to the services provided by us for your investments in unit trusts, mutual funds and collective investment schemes.  For the purpose of Condition 1.3 of Part 4, you specify your account(s) maintained with us selected in Step 1 of the online wealth management account opening procedures as your Settlement Account.

 

(e)      Part 5 applies to all transactions subject to these Conditions.  Part 5 is subject to Parts 1 to 4.

 

Part 6 contains certain risk disclosure statements. Please read these Conditions carefully, particularly Condition 4 (Limit of liability, indemnity and interest) of Part 5, and the risk disclosure statements.

 

 

PART 1 - SECURITIES

 

1.             SECURITIES ACCOUNT

 

1.1           You confirm that the information provided to us for the purpose of opening the Securities Account is complete and accurate.  You shall promptly inform us of any material changes to that information.  We are authorised to conduct credit and other enquiries to verify the information provided.

 

1.2           We shall inform you of any material changes to our name, address, registration status, CE number, the nature of the services to be provided by us under these Conditions, or to our commissions, fees or charges.

 

1.3           If you are not the ultimate beneficiary or the person ultimately responsible for originating an instruction in relation to securities listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, or in relation to derivatives including over-the-counter derivatives, written over such securities:

(a)        you agree to provide full details (including the identity, address and contact details) of the ultimate beneficiary and of the person ultimately responsible for originating the relevant instructions directly to the Hong Kong stock exchange and the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") within 2 business days of a request by the Hong Kong stock exchange or the SFC;

(b)        your agreement in paragraph (a) above to provide information will survive termination of these Conditions; and

(c)        if a beneficiary or a person originating an instruction is located in a foreign country or place, you confirm that these provisions are binding under the relevant foreign law.

 

2.             LAWS AND RULES

 

                All transactions in securities effected on your behalf will be subject to all laws, rules and regulatory directions applying to us, including the rules, codes and guidelines of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the SFC, the relevant exchanges and clearing houses.  We may do or refrain from doing anything in order to comply with such laws, rules and directions. All such actions and omissions bind you.

 

3.             TRANSACTIONS

 

3.1           We will act as your agent in effecting transactions in securities unless we indicate that we are acting as principal.

 

3.2           You confirm, unless you notify us otherwise in relation to any transaction, that all your sell orders in respect of securities at or through the Hong Kong stock exchange will be "long" sales. You undertake to notify us at the time of placing a sell order if it relates to securities which you do not own but have a right to obtain, i.e. involves short selling, and at the same time to provide us with the requisite assurance that the sale is "covered".

 

3.3           On all transactions in securities, you will pay our commissions, fees and charges, in the amounts and within the times as notified to you, as well as fees of the relevant exchange, clearing house and registrar, levies of any regulatory authority, all applicable stamp duties and expenses.  We may deduct such commissions, fees, charges, levies, duties and expenses from the Securities Account or your other accounts with us.

 

3.4           Unless otherwise agreed, in respect of each transaction in securities, unless we are already holding cash or securities on your behalf to settle the transaction, you will:

(a)        pay us cleared funds or deliver to us securities in deliverable form; or

(b)        otherwise ensure that we have received such funds or securities,

 

by such time as we have notified you in relation to that transaction.  If you fail to do so, we may:

                (i)         in the case of a purchase transaction, sell the purchased securities; and

(ii)        in the case of a sale transaction, borrow and/or purchase securities in order to settle the transaction.

 

3.5           We may instruct brokers and other agents on your behalf relating to the purchase and sale of securities.  The terms of business of such brokers and agents will apply to your transactions in securities. 

 

3.6           If an order in relation to securities cannot be executed or be wholly executed, we are under no obligation to notify you immediately.  An instruction to buy or sell securities may be partially executed if the instruction cannot be fully executed.  An order to sell or purchase securities will, to the extent not executed, lapse at the close of trading hours on the business day on which the order was given.

 

3.7           You agree that we may accept from any brokers and dealers engaged in your transactions any rebate or reallowance or soft commission as may be authorised from time to time by any regulatory authority or the rules of any applicable exchanges or clearing houses.

 

3.8           Whenever we purchase or sell securities on your behalf, you will be bound by all our applicable current rules and regulations governing or affecting such contract.

 

3.9           If any transaction relates to derivative products, including options, we will provide to you upon request (a) product specifications and any prospectus or other offering document covering such products and (b) a full explanation of margin procedures and the circumstances under which positions may be closed without your consent.

 

4.             SAFEKEEPING OF SECURITIES

 

4.1           All securities in the Securities Account are subject to a general lien for the discharge of all your liabilities to us. If you do not perform any of your obligations, we may sell your securities or part thereof (whether held by us for safe custody or otherwise) at such price, on such terms and by such method as we may determine.  We may apply the net proceeds to reduce all or any of your liabilities to us on any account.

 

4.2           If we are holding your Hong Kong listed securities in safe custody in Hong Kong, we will arrange for them to be registered or held in safe custody in accordance with Hong Kong laws and regulations, including registration of registered securities in the name of our nominee. We will only appoint custodians or nominees (which may be our affiliates) to hold such securities if they are qualified under Hong Kong laws and regulations. We will use reasonable care in selecting them.

 

4.3           Where securities are not registered in your name, any payments arising in respect of such securities will, when received by us, be credited to the Securities Account or paid to you, as agreed with you.  Where the securities form part of a larger holding of identical securities held for our clients, you will be entitled to the same share of the payments arising on the holding as your share of the total holding.

 

5.             STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNT

 

5.1           We will provide you with monthly statements of your securities and other investment accounts, unless a statement is not required under applicable regulation. Please notify us if you do not receive a statement.

 

5.2           You will examine each statement of account carefully.  If you do not object to a statement within 90 days, you will be regarded to have accepted all matters recorded in that statement. You will not however be liable for unauthorised transactions arising from forgery or fraud (a) by any third party in relation to which we have failed to exercise reasonable care and skill, or (b) by our employee or agent, or other unauthorised transactions arising from our default or negligence.

 

6.             MATERIAL INTEREST

 

When effecting transactions for you, we or our associates may have a material interest in relation to the transaction or securities concerned.  In particular, we or our associates may:

(a)        effect transactions with you as principal;

(b)       effect transactions where we or an associate has a position in the securities or is involved as underwriter, sponsor or otherwise; or

(c)        match your order with those of other customers.

 

If we have an actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to a transaction, we will not advise or deal in relation to the transaction unless we have disclosed that conflict to you and have taken all reasonable steps to treat you fairly.

 

7.             EQUITY-LINKED PRODUCTS

 

Condition 7 applies to equity-linked products, however called, issued by other parties and distributed by us. Such products include ELI Products issued by Macquarie Structured Products Asia Limited.

 

7.1           All offer documents, including any information memorandum, financial statements, product booklets and term sheets, are issued by the issuer of the relevant equity-linked product.  We expressly disclaim all liabilities in respect of all offer documents. We do not in any way guarantee or give any assurance in respect of the obligations of any issuer.

 

7.2           We act only as a distributor of equity-linked products and not as agent for the issuer.  We have no authority to accept or refuse applications for equity-linked products on behalf of the issuer. Our nominee and we will act as your agent in relation to equity-linked products. You authorise us to take all actions, give all confirmations and representations, and to do all things that we consider necessary or desirable in connection with carrying out your instructions relating to any equity-linked product.

 

7.3           You agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the relevant offer documents in addition to these Conditions, and to pay in full for and accept the equity-linked products you applied for or any lesser amount allotted to you. If full payment is not received from you when due, your equity-linked product may be closed out and you will be responsible for all losses and expenses. We may aggregate your application with applications made by our other clients and make a single application in the name of our nominee. In the event of the application being partly successful, we may allocate the equity-linked product among yourself and our other clients

 

7.4           The purchase price and any fees payable by you will be as set out in our confirmation sent to you. Our nominee and we may accept and retain commissions and fees from the issuer in connection with any equity-linked product, without liability to account or disclose to you.

 

7.5           You confirm that you will have read and understood the contents of the relevant offer documents in your preferred language (including the risk disclosures and terms and conditions, as supplemented or modified from time to time) and agree to give all required confirmations. By giving an instruction to purchase an equity-linked product, you are deemed to have accepted the relevant offer documents. You will conduct your own assessment whether the equity-linked product is suitable for you in the light of your financial position and investment objective, before giving any instruction to purchase an equity-linked product. You will determine that you have sufficient income and net worth to be able to assume the risks and bear the potential losses associated with each equity-linked product you wish to purchase.  You understand that no certificate of title will be available for equity-linked products.

 

7.6           You warrant that you will purchase each equity-linked product for your own account and not for any other person, and that you will purchase each equity-linked product for investment purpose and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution or disposition thereof.  Your interest in an equity-linked product may not be transferable without the prior written consent of the issuer.

 

7.7           You acknowledge that an equity-linked product may have ownership or trading prohibitions or restrictions (which may or may not be set out in the offer documents). By giving an instruction to purchase an equity-linked product, you will warrant that you are not subject to any such prohibitions or restrictions, and that your purchase of the equity-linked product complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

7.8           You understand that some of the equity-linked products are not intended for offer or sale to the public and no prospectus has been issued in relation to them.  No offer documents shall be considered as a prospectus and any offer or information relating to equity-linked products is communicated to you on a strictly private and confidential basis for your personal use only. You will not pass on any such information to third parties.

 

7.9           You will not rely on any communication (whether written or oral) from us (including our directors, officers, employees, agents or nominees) as investment advice or as recommendation to purchase any equity-linked product.  You acknowledge that we will not provide you with tax, legal or financial advice in relation to any equity-linked product. You will not rely on the issuer or its affiliates in assessing the merits, risks and suitability of purchasing any equity-linked product. You understand that information and explanations in the relevant offer documents should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation to purchase the equity-linked product.

 

7.10         You acknowledge that you may not have any direct contractual relationship with the issuer.  In the event of default by the issuer or any guarantor, any legal action against them may only be taken by us, at your written request and after you have provided us with full indemnity and security satisfactory to us in respect of all costs and expenses that might be incurred (in the amount estimated by us in good faith). 

 

7.11         We need not commence or continue with any action if we consider that it is not appropriate. We will have absolute control over any legal action (including to settle or discontinue it). If we act in good faith and on legal advice, we will not in any circumstances incur any liability to you if we decide against commencing or continuing with any action, or in respect of any actions taken or not taken in connection with any legal action.

 

7.12         Equity-linked products will be registered in the name of our nominee. You will have to rely on us to credit your account with us with payments and securities received by our nominee on your behalf from the issuer, to distribute notices our nominee receives from the issuer, and to relay your notices to the issuer.

 

7.13         If your application for an equity-linked product is not successful in whole or part, the purchase money will be returned to you without interest by the issuer through our nominee.

 

7.14         The market value of equity-linked products shown on your monthly statement may only represent their nominal value.  The proceeds which you may obtain on selling back (if permitted) an equity-linked product prior to its maturity, and the proceeds or value of any shares which you may obtain at maturity, may be less than the face value of the equity-linked product (possibly significantly, depending on market conditions). In the absence of manifest error, the register maintained by the issuer is definitive as to holdings of the relevant equity-linked product.

 

7.15         You agree that we may provide your personal information to the issuer and its agents and affiliates for the purposes of equity-linked products, and to regulatory or government authorities (in or outside Hong Kong) pursuant to any applicable law, regulation or directive.

 

 

PART 2 - CUSTODY OF SECURITIES

 

1.             CUSTODY OF SECURITIES

 

1.1          All your securities delivered to and accepted by us for the Custody Account will be held under the terms and conditions of this Part.

 

1.2           If we are holding your Hong Kong listed securities in safe custody in Hong Kong, we will arrange for them to be registered or held in safe custody in accordance with Hong Kong laws and regulations, including registration of registered securities in the name of our nominee. We will only appoint custodians or nominees (which may be our affiliates) to hold such securities if they are qualified under Hong Kong laws and regulations. We will use reasonable care in selecting them.

 

1.3           Where securities for the Custody Account are not registered in your name, any dividends or other benefits arising in respect of such securities shall, when received by us and in the absence of your specific instructions, be credited to the Custody Account or, in the case of cash, to your other account with us.  Where the securities form part of a larger holding of identical securities held for our clients, you shall be entitled to the same share of the benefits arising on the holding as your share of the total holding.

 

1.4           All securities in the Custody Account are subject to a general lien for the discharge of all your liabilities to us.  If you do not perform any of your obligations, we may sell your securities or part thereof (whether held by us for safe custody or otherwise) at such price, on such terms and by such method as we may determine.  We may apply the net proceeds to reduce all or any of your liabilities to us on any account.

 

1.5           We shall where applicable notify you of rights issues, take-over offers, capitalisation issues, exercise of conversion or redemption or subscription rights, voting and other rights attaching to your securities.  Subject to receiving your instructions in time for us to act and, if payment is required, to receipt of cleared funds, we shall arrange for action to be taken.  If action is required but you cannot be contacted or fail to give us punctual or adequate instructions, we may (but are not obliged to) act as we think fit in our discretion.

 

1.6           You authorise us to take all necessary actions to comply with applicable laws, and the rules, regulations and codes issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the SFC, and the rules of exchanges and clearing houses, including withholding or making payment of tax or duties in respect of cash or securities in the Custody Account.

 

1.7           You understand that your securities will be held by us uninsured unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing with us.

 

1.8           The authorised representative from time to time of your account with us as specified by you have full authority to give all kinds of instructions to us in relation to the Custody Account for and on your behalf. 

 

1.9           In providing the services under this Part, we will not be a trustee or fiduciary.  Our responsibilities are limited to those set out in this Part.

 

1.10         We may appoint and pay any sub-custodians or nominees to hold all or any assets or to perform any services under this Part.  We will not be responsible in any manner whatsoever to you for any act or omission of any nominee or custodian selected by us.

 

2.            FEES

 

2.1           You will pay our fees, commissions and charges, and all out-of-pocket expenses including the expenses of our sub-custodians and nominees, in each case in the amounts and within the times as notified to you, as well as applicable fees of the relevant exchange, clearing house and registrar, levies of any regulatory authority, and all applicable stamp duties, taxes and expenses.  We may deduct such fees, commissions, charges, expenses, levies, duties, taxes and expenses from the Custody Account or your other accounts with us.

 

2.2           If any securities require special or unusual safe custody, you shall pay all expenses reasonably incurred by us in providing such safe custody.

 

3.             TERMINATION

 

3.1           Either party may terminate the custodial service under this Part at any time by 30 day's notice to the other party.

 

3.2           Subject to our rights and completion of transfer of any securities to us or to you, your securities and any relevant documents of title in our possession shall be collected by you from us within 7 days of the termination of this Part.  Any delivery to you by us (acting reasonably) shall be at your own sole risk and expense.

 

3.3           If within 7 days or such longer period as we may agree following the termination of the custodial service under this Part, you have not collected your securities from us, we shall continue to hold such securities but without the obligations imposed on us under this Part.

 

4.             GENERAL

 

4.1           We have no duty to verify the validity of ownership or title to any assets accepted for the Custody Account or the validity or genuineness of any documents received in connection with any assets in the Custody Account.

 

4.2           You authorise us and any person appointed by us to execute documents and otherwise act on your behalf for all purposes connected with our custodial services.

 

4.3           Payments to be made or received in a currency other than Hong Kong dollars may be converted by us into the applicable currency at the rates and times selected by us.

 

4.4           You will be responsible for filing tax and other returns and reports on transactions which we handle for the Custody Account.

 

4.5           You may not assign, mortgage or charge the Custody Account without our prior written consent.

 

4.6           We will provide you with monthly statements of your securities and other investment accounts, unless a statement is not required under applicable regulation. Please notify us if you do not receive a statement. Unless you notify us of your disagreement with a statement within 90 days, you will be deemed to have accepted it.  You will not however be liable for unauthorised transactions arising from forgery or fraud (a) by any third party in relation to which we have failed to exercise reasonable care and skill, or (b) by our employee or agent, or other unauthorised transactions arising from our default or negligence.

 

 

PART 3 - DEPOSIT PRODUCTS AND OPTIONS

 

Each equity-linked deposit, currency-linked deposit, share option or currency option made with us is referred to as a "Transaction".

 

1.             SINGLE AGREEMENT

 

The parties have entered into and will enter into each Transaction in reliance upon the fact that all Transactions constitute a single contractual relationship ("Agreement"). Accordingly, each of the parties agrees (a) to perform all of its obligations in respect of each Transaction, and that a default in the performance of any such obligations shall constitute a default by it in respect of all Transactions, (b) that each of them shall be entitled to set off claims against it and apply property held by it in respect of any Transaction against obligations owing to it in respect of any other Transaction.

 

2.             EQUITY-LINKED DEPOSITS

               

2.1           Market disruption

(a)        A "Market Disruption Event" means any suspension or limitation of trading in the underlying shares on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the underlying shares on any relevant exchange as determined by us, or any other event which, in our opinion, has a material effect on the market for the underlying shares, which occurs at any time on the date for determining the price of the underlying shares.

(b)       If, in our sole discretion, we determine that on a Fixing Date, a Market Disruption Event has occurred and is continuing, then the Fixing Date will be the next Trading Day on which there is no Market Disruption Event, and the Closing Price will be calculated by us accordingly. If a Market Disruption Event continues for 5 Trading Days after the original Fixing Date, the Closing Price will be the price per share of the underlying shares estimated by us in good faith on the 5th Trading Day as the price which could be obtained for the underlying share. The Maturity Date will automatically be postponed by the same number of days.

(c)        The occurrence of a Market Disruption Event on any date during the period commencing from the date a Transaction is agreed and ending on a Deposit Date (both dates inclusive) will not affect the Transaction or the Deposit Date.

(d)       A "Trading Day" means a trading day on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, other than a day on which trading is scheduled to close before its regular weekday closing time, and which is a day on which banks are open in Hong Kong for business.

 

2.2           Adjustment

(a)           An "Adjustment Event" occurs if there is a dividend, distribution, split, extraordinary dividend (as determined by us in our sole opinion), consolidation, rights offering, repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, alteration or any other event in respect of the underlying shares having, in our opinion, a diluting or concentrative effect on the market value of the underlying shares, or a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, takeover, dissolution, insolvency, liquidation, nationalization or expropriation of the issuer of the underlying shares or its assets or the underlying shares, or the underlying shares cease to be actively traded on or are de-listed from The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited or cease to be publicly traded, or any event of a type for which adjustments are customarily made in respect of traded options or futures on shares in Hong Kong.

(b)           Adjustments may be made by us to any of the conditions and terms of the affected Transactions including without limitation to the Conversion Price and/or the identity of the underlying shares following the occurrence of any Adjustment Event. Such adjustments will be made as will, in our sole discretion, preserve the economic equivalent of your obligations under the Transaction. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the issuer of the underlying shares on or before the Fixing Date, the underlying shares will be deemed to have no value.

 

2.3           Other provisions relating to shares

(a)           If on the Fixing Date or any date thereafter prior to the delivery of the underlying shares to you, the register of members of the issuer of the underlying shares is closed, or there is a suspension in trading in the underlying shares, or there exists any event beyond our control by reason of which, as determined by us in our sole discretion, we are unable to deliver the underlying shares to you, delivery of underlying shares will be postponed until such register of members is open, trading is resumed or we are able to deliver the underlying shares.

(b)           We are not obliged to account to you for any entitlement received or receivable in respect of the underlying shares if the date on which the underlying shares are first traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ex such entitlement, as determined by us in our sole discretion, is on or prior to the Maturity Date.

(c)           We are not obliged to deliver to you any fraction of an underlying share. If the amount of the underlying shares to be delivered to you exceeds the amount of the board lot for such shares or a whole multiple thereof, we are not obliged to deliver such excess to you, and may pay a cash amount in lieu of delivery of such excess equal to the Closing Price multiplied by the number of such excess.

(d)           After delivery of the underlying shares to you and until you are entered in the register of members of the relevant company as the registered holder of the underlying shares, we are not obliged to deliver to you any certificate, notice, circular, dividend or any other document or payment received by us or our agent or nominee in our or its capacity as the registered holder of the underlying shares, or to exercise any rights attaching to the underlying shares, or be under any liability in respect of any loss or damage suffered by you as a direct or indirect result of our or our agent or nominee being registered as such holder. We are not obliged to register or procure the registration of yourself or any other person as the registered holder of the underlying shares in the register of members of the relevant company.

 

2.4           Further provisions

(a)        If the agreed Deposit Date falls on a non-banking day, it will be postponed to the next banking day.  The Maturity Date will remain unchanged.  Interest will be calculated on the deposit for the entire, original period, subject to a deduction at a daily rate equal to our 24-hour call deposit rate in respect of the period of postponement of the Deposit Date.

(b)       If the Maturity Date falls on a non-banking day (in which case it will be postponed to the next banking day) or has been postponed by reason of a Market Disruption Event, interest will be calculated on the deposit, if the deposit is to be settled by repayment of principal and interest, for the period of postponement only at a daily rate equal to our 24-hour call deposit rate.

(c)        Deposits can only be made in the currency, amount and terms which we accept. 

(d)       Deposits will be repaid to the credit of an account with us as specified by you or, if necessary, as selected by us.

(e)        The amount (including interest, where applicable) and the currency in which the deposit will be repaid to you on maturity are as specified in the relevant Confirmation.

(f)        Deposits may not be withdrawn before maturity without our consent.  We may refuse early withdrawal.  If we permit early withdrawal, we may deduct from the deposit amounts determined by us to compensate for losses and expenses including breakage, hedging and funding costs.  The amount repaid to you may be less than the principal amount of the deposit.

(g)       Deposits will not be automatically renewed.

 

3.             SHARE OPTIONS

 

3.1           An "American Option" is an option which is exercisable between 9:00 a.m. (Hong Kong time) and the Expiration Time on any Trading Day from and including its Transaction Date up to and including its Expiration Date. A "European Option" is an option which is exercisable, unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation, between 9:00 a.m. (Hong Kong time) and the Expiration Time on its Expiration Date only. Where the specified Expiration Date is not a Trading Day, then the Expiration Date will be the next following Trading Day.

 

3.2           Premium

(a)        Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, the Buyer shall pay the Premium related to an Option no later than its Premium payment date.

(b)       If any Premium is not received by us on or before the Premium payment date, we may elect: (i) to accept a late payment of such Premium; (ii) to give written notice of such non-payment and, if such payment is not received within 2 banking days of such notice, treat the related Option as void; or (iii) to give written notice of such non-payment and, if such payment is not received within 2 banking days of such notice, treat such non-payment as an Event of Default. If we elect to act under either (i) or (ii), you shall pay to us all out-of-pocket costs and actual damages incurred in connection with such unpaid or late Premium or void Option, including without limitation interest on such Premium from and including the Premium payment date to but excluding the date of actual payment at the prime rate quoted by us and any other losses, costs or expenses incurred by us in connection with such terminated Option, for the loss of our bargain, our cost of funding, and the loss incurred as a result of terminating, liquidating, obtaining or re-establishing hedge or related trading positions with respect to such Option.

 

3.3           Automatic exercise

 

Unless the Seller of an Option is otherwise instructed in writing by the Buyer prior to such time, if automatic exercise is specified to be applicable in the Confirmation for the Option, such Option shall be deemed to be automatically exercised at the Expiration Time on the Expiration Date:

(a)        if cash settlement is applicable; or

(b)        where physical settlement is applicable, if at such time the Option is In-the-money, unless the Reference Price cannot be determined at such time. A call option is "In-the-money" if the Reference Price is greater than the Strike Price. A put option is "In-the-money" if the Reference Price is less than the Strike Price.

 

3.4           Cash settlement

 

If cash settlement is applicable for an Option, the Seller shall pay to the Buyer an amount, as calculated by us, equal to the number of options exercised or deemed exercised multiplied by the Option Entitlement multiplied by an amount equal to the greater of (a) the excess of (i) in the case of a Call, the Reference Price over the Strike Price or (ii) in the case of a Put, the Strike Price over the Reference Price, and (b) zero.

 

3.5           Market disruption

 

Condition 2.1(a) and (b) apply to share options, as if references therein to "Fixing Date", "Closing Price" and "Maturity Date" were references to "Exercise Date", "Reference Price" and "Settlement Date" respectively.  "Exercise Date" means, in respect of an Option exercised or deemed exercised, the Expiration Date in the case of a European option; and the Trading Day on which the option is exercised, in the case of an American option.

 

3.6           Adjustment

 

Condition 2.2(a) and (b) apply to share options, as if the reference therein to "Conversion Price" were a reference to "Strike Price, the number of options and the Option Entitlement", and except that the last sentence thereof will not apply.

 

4.             CURRENCY OPTIONS

 

4.1           A "Spot Rate" means the spot rate of exchange quoted by us (or, if such spot rate of exchange is not available, such rate as determined in good faith by us using any commercially reasonable method).

 

4.2           Conditions 3.1 and 3.2 apply to currency options as if the references therein to "Trading Day" were references to Business Day. "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on which banks effect delivery of the relevant currency in accordance with the market practice in Hong Kong.

 

4.3           Automatic exercise

 

                Unless the Seller of an Option is otherwise instructed in writing by the Buyer prior to such time, if automatic exercise is specified to be applicable in the Confirmation for the Option, such Option shall be deemed to be automatically exercised at the Expiration Time on the Expiration Date, if at such time the Option is In-the-Money.  A call option is "In-the-Money" if the Spot Rate is greater than the Strike Price.  A put option is "In-the-Money" if the Spot Rate is less than the Strike Price.

 

4.4           Settlement

 

                An exercised Option shall settle on its Settlement Date. Subject to Condition 4.5, on the Settlement Date, the Buyer shall pay the Put Currency to the Seller for value on the Settlement Date and the Seller shall pay the Call Currency to the Buyer for value on the Settlement Date.

 

4.5           Settlement at In-the-Money Amount

 

An Option shall be settled at its In-the-Money Amount if so agreed by the parties at the time such Option is entered into. The In-the-Money Amount means (a) in the case of a Call, the excess of the Spot Rate over the Strike Price, multiplied by the amount of the Call Currency to be purchased under the Call, where both prices are quoted in terms of the amount of the Put Currency to be paid for one unit of the Call Currency; and (b) in the case of a Put, the excess of the Strike Price over the Spot Rate, multiplied by the amount of the Put Currency to be sold under the Put, where both prices are quoted in terms of the amount of the Call Currency to be paid for one unit of the Put Currency.  The sole obligations of the parties with respect to settlement of such Option shall be to deliver or receive the In-the-Money Amount of such Option on the Settlement Date.

 

5.             CURRENCY-LINKED DEPOSITS

 

Condition 2.4 applies to currency-linked deposits.

 

6.             EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

6.1           An "Act of Insolvency" means:

(a)        your making a general assignment for the benefit of, or entering into a reorganisation, arrangement, or composition with creditors; 
(b)       your or any other person seeking or consenting to the appointment of any trustee, administrator, receiver, nominee or liquidator or analogous officer for you or of any material part of your property; 
(c)        the presentation of a petition for your bankruptcy, winding-up or insolvency (or any analogous proceeding) or seeking any reorganisation, arrangement, composition, re-adjustment, administration, bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief;
(d)       the appointment of a receiver, administrator, nominee, liquidator or trustee or analogous officer over all or any material part of your property; or
(e)        the convening of any meeting of your creditors for the purpose of considering a voluntary arrangement (or any analogous proceeding).

 

An "Event of Default" means (a) an Act of Insolvency with respect to you, (b) any representation made by you being incorrect or untrue in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated, or (c) your failure to perform any of your obligations pursuant to any Transaction. 

 

6.2           If an Event of Default occurs, we may, at our option (which option shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately upon the occurrence of an Act of Insolvency), and without prior notice to you, liquidate and close out one or more Transactions.  Liquidation of Transactions shall be effected as follows:

(a)        we shall calculate in good faith with respect to each terminated Transaction, as of the date on which the Transactions are closed out ("Close-Out Date") or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter a settlement amount for each party equal to the aggregate of:

(i)         with respect to each Option purchased by such party, and which we have not elected to treat as void pursuant to Condition 3.2(b) for lack of payment of the Premium, the current market premium for such Option;

(ii)        with respect to each Option sold by such party, and which we have not elected to treat as void pursuant to Condition 3.2(b) for lack of payment of the Premium, any unpaid Premium, provided that, if the Close-Out Date occurs before the Premium payment date, such amount shall be discounted from and including the Close-Out Date to but excluding the Premium payment date at a rate equal to the prime rate as quoted by us and, if the Close-Out Date occurs after the Premium payment date, any unpaid Premium shall carry interest from and including the Premium payment date to but excluding the Close-Out Date at the prime rate as quoted by us;

(iii)       with respect to any exercised Option (whether or not the Close-Out Date occurs before the Settlement Date for such Option) or matured Transaction, any unpaid amount due to such party in settlement of such Transaction and, if the Close-Out Date occurs after the Settlement Date for such Option or the Maturity Date for such Transaction, interest thereon from and including the Settlement Date or Maturity Date to but excluding the Close-Out Date at the prime rate as quoted by us; and

(iv)       without duplication, the amount that we determine in good faith, as of the Close-Out Date or as of the earliest date thereafter that is reasonably practicable, to be our additional losses, costs and expenses in connection with such terminated Transaction, for the loss of our bargain, our cost of funding, and the loss incurred as a result of terminating, liquidating, obtaining or re-establishing hedge or related trading positions with respect to such Transaction;

(b)       converting any settlement amount calculated in accordance with paragraph (a) above in a currency other than Hong Kong dollars into Hong Kong dollars at the spot rate of exchange quoted by us for the purchase of Hong Kong dollars with such currency (or, if such spot rate of exchange is not available, conversion shall be accomplished by us using any commercially reasonable method); and

(c)        netting such settlement amounts with respect to each party so that all such amounts are netted to a single liquidated amount payable by one party to the other party as a settlement payment.

 

6.3           You shall also be liable to us for:

(a)        the amount of all reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by us in connection with an Event of Default, any collection or other enforcement proceedings related to the payments required under the Agreement;

(b)       any other loss or damage directly arising from the occurrence of an Event of Default; and

(c)        interest on any amounts owing by you under the Agreement, from the date you become liable for such amounts until such amounts are (i) paid in full by you, or (ii) satisfied in full by the exercise of our rights under the Agreement. Interest on any sum payable by you to us under Condition 6 shall be at a rate equal to the prime rate as quoted by us from time to time plus 2% per annum.

 

6.4           The parties agree that the amounts recoverable under Condition 6 are a reasonable pre-estimate of loss, payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks.

 

6.5           In the absence of a generally recognized source for prices or bid or offer quotations for any securities or currency, we may establish the source in our sole discretion.  All prices and bid and offer quotations shall be increased to include accrued interest to the extent not already included.

 

7.             FORCE MAJEURE

 

7.1           A "Force Majeure Event", on any day determined as if such day were the Settlement Date of a Transaction (even if it is not), means (a) either party, by reason of force majeure or act of state, is prevented from or hindered or delayed in delivering or receiving, or it is impossible to deliver or receive, any currency or securities in respect of a Transaction, and which event is beyond the control of such party and which such party, with reasonable diligence, cannot overcome, or (b) it is unlawful for either party to deliver or receive a delivery or payment of any currency or securities in respect of a Transaction.

                A "Waiting Period", in respect of a Force Majeure Event, means the first three days after such event occurs which are Business Days (in the case of a currency-linked deposit or a currency option) or Trading Days (in the case of an equity-linked deposit or share option) or which, but for such event, would have been Business Days or Trading Days as the case may be.

 

7.2           If a Force Majeure Event occurs and is still in effect, we may (subject to Condition 7.3), by notice to you on any day(s) after the Waiting Period expires, require the close-out and liquidation of any or all of the affected Transactions in accordance with the provisions of Condition 6. If we elect to liquidate less than all affected Transactions, we may liquidate additional affected Transactions on a later day or days if the relevant Force Majeure Event is still in effect.

 

7.3           If the Settlement Date of an affected Transaction falls during a Waiting Period, then such Settlement Date will be deferred to the first Business Day or Trading Day as the case may be (or the first day which, but for such event, would have been a Business Day or Trading Day as the case may be) after the end of that Waiting Period.  Compensation for this deferral shall be at then current market rates as determined in a commercially reasonable manner by us.

 

7.4           If a Force Majeure Event has occurred, an affected party shall promptly give notice thereof to the other party.

 

7.5           If an event occurs that would otherwise constitute both a Force Majeure Event and an Event of Default, that event will be treated as a Force Majeure Event and not as an Event of Default.

 

 

PART 4 - INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

1.             FUND SERVICES

 

1.1           In accordance with your instructions, we may:

(a)        accept payment by credit card or debit the relevant sum from your designated account and apply to the manager, custodian, trustee or other relevant person ("Fund Operator") to subscribe or apply for units, shares or interests ("units") in such unit trusts, mutual funds, collective investment schemes or other investments as we may agree at our discretion from time to time ("Funds");

(b)       apply to the Fund Operator to redeem, transfer or (where applicable) convert units held by us for you.

 

1.2           Your application to the Fund Operator may be given in our or our nominee’s name, together with our other clients’ applications. We have no authority from any Fund Operator to accept any application. The Fund Operator may subsequently reject your application, although it has been accepted by us. We have no further obligations following transmission of your application to the Fund Operator. The number of units to be allocated by us to your account may be rounded down.

 

1.3           Your Settlement Account is specified at the beginning of these Conditions or other account(s) with us notified by you and accepted by us.

 

1.4           We will credit your Settlement Account with the redemption proceeds and any income of your units held by us only after the money has been actually received by us and after deducting relevant expenses. Unless otherwise agreed with you in writing, we are not required to take any action to collect sums payable in respect of your units or to inform you if any payment is overdue.

 

1.5           Before giving any instruction to acquire or deal with any unit, you will have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the offering and constitutive documents and application form and procedure of the relevant Funds. You will ensure that your instructions conform to the requirements of the Funds. We are not responsible to check if this is the case, and are authorised at our discretion to reject any instruction, to transmit it to the Fund Operator without change, or to make any necessary changes to confirm with the requirements of the Funds, without reference to you.

 

1.6           We need not take any action until we have received all necessary funds, instructions and documents, but may do so. We may on receipt of your instruction put a "hold" on an amount estimated by us to be required to carry out your instruction. Whether or not we do so, if you fail to put us in funds to make a purchase, we may sell the purchased units without notice to you and apply the proceeds to reimburse ourselves.  You will pay any deficit to us on demand.

 

1.7           If your instruction cannot be executed in whole or part, we are not required to notify you immediately.  An instruction may be partially executed if it cannot be fully executed.  We will decide allocation among you and other clients in a fair manner. 

 

2.             CUSTODY

 

2.1           You appoint us your nominee to hold all units acquired on your behalf. We will arrange for registered units to be registered in the books of the Fund Operator in the name of our nominee, and otherwise for custody of your units and any certificates in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We will record your units held by us in an account in your name ("Fund Account") maintained by us.

 

2.2           If minimum holding requirements apply, any holding below the minimum number of units may be required to be redeemed.

 

2.3           Where your units form part of a larger holding of identical units held for our clients, you will be entitled to the same share of the payments arising on the holding as your share of the total holding.

 

2.4           We are not required to attend meetings of unit holders, to vote at such meetings, or to exercise any right of the holder unless otherwise agreed with you in writing.

2.5           We may appoint sub-custodians or nominees to hold units or to perform any services.  We will use reasonable care in selecting nominees or custodians.

 

2.6           Instructions to withdraw or transfer units will be subject to completion of transfer to you or your transferee according to the rules of the Funds and payment of relevant fees and expenses.

 

3.             OUR ROLE

 

3.1           We act as your agent under this Part, not as trustee or fiduciary.  Our responsibilities are limited to those expressly set out in these Conditions.

 

3.2           You authorise us and any person appointed by us to execute all documents and do everything which may be necessary or desirable for all purposes connected with our services.

3.3           You agree that all transactions will be subject to the laws, regulations and rules applicable to the Funds or to us, including the rules of the Funds, and the rules, codes and guidelines of any regulatory authorities, exchanges and clearing houses.  We may do or refrain from doing anything in order to comply with such laws, regulations and rules.  All such actions or omissions bind you.

 

3.4           You agree that we may accept from the Fund Operators and other persons engaged in your transactions any rebate, reallowance or soft commission as may be authorised from time to time by regulatory authorities or the rules of applicable exchanges.

 

4.             INSTRUCTIONS

 

4.1           Unless you have otherwise advised us, the authorised representative of your Settlement Account has full authority to do everything for you in relation to your units, including to sell or buy units, withdraw money and units, and give any instructions. All instructions given or purported to be given by you or your authorised representative are binding on you.  We may, at our discretion, decline to accept any instructions without giving any reason.

 

4.2           If any action is required in respect of your units, and we have not received your instructions as to the action to be taken, we may (but are not obliged to) act at our discretion and without liability to you.

 

5.             INFORMATION

 

5.1           You confirm that all information provided to us for the purpose of this Part and every transaction under this Part is complete and accurate.  You will promptly inform us of any material change to that information.  We may conduct enquiries to verify your information.

 

5.2           We will inform you of any material changes to our name, address, registration status, CE number, the nature of our services under this Part, or our fees or charges.

 

5.3           We will provide you with monthly statements of the Fund Account, unless a  statement is not required under applicable regulation.  Please notify us if you do not receive a statement.  Unless you notify us of your disagreement with a statement within 90 days, you will be deemed to have accepted it and will not subsequently dispute it.  You will not however be liable for unauthorised transactions arising from forgery or fraud (a) by any third party in relation to which we have failed to exercise reasonable care and skill, or (b) by our employee or agent, or other unauthorised transactions arising from our default or negligence.

 

5.4           Reports, accounts and other documents received in respect of Funds will be held by us for such period as we may decide, and will be available for your inspection during such period.  Thereafter we will destroy such documents. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, you do not require us to forward such documents to you or notify you of their receipt.

 

5.5           All information relating to Funds provided by us to you is provided by or based on information received from the Fund Operator. We have not verified the information and are not responsible for any error or omission.

 

6.             FEES

 

6.1           You acknowledge receipt of a list of our fees and charges. We may change our fees and charges from time to time after notice to you.

 

6.2           You will pay our fees and charges, and all out-of-pocket expenses including sums payable in respect of your units, overdraft interest arising from your transactions, the expenses of our sub-custodians and nominees, applicable fees of any exchange, clearing house, registrar and regulatory authority, and applicable stamp duties, taxes and expenses.  You will pay in the amounts and within the times notified to you. We may deduct all such amounts from your accounts with us.

 

7.             YOUR REPRESENTATION

 

                You represent to us that you are the sole beneficial owner of all units held by us, free from third party claims or interests.  This representation will survive termination of these Conditions.

 

8.             LIMIT OF LIABILITY

 

8.1           Any recommendation or information given by us to you are for your reference only. Reliance on such recommendation or information is at your own risk. The actual price in respect of Funds are determined by the Fund Operator, and any quotation provided by us are only indicative. We make no representations regarding the performance of your investment.

 

8.2           We have no duty to verify the validity or genuineness of any documents received in connection with any assets under these Conditions.

 

8.3           We have no duty to enquire whether any Fund Operator is performing its duties.

 

9.             MATERIAL INTEREST

 

When effecting transactions for you, our associates or we may have a material interest in relation to the transaction or units concerned.  In particular, our associates or we may:

(a)        effect transactions where an associate or we have a position in the units or are involved as manager, custodian, trustee or otherwise; or

(b)        match your order with those of other clients.

 

If we have an actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to a transaction, we will not act in relation to the transaction unless we have disclosed that conflict to you and have taken all reasonable steps to treat you fairly.

 

                We may have existing or future commercial or banking relationships with the Fund Operators or their affiliates, and will pursue actions which we deem appropriate to protect our interests, without any obligation to disclose or account to you, and regardless of whether any such action might adversely affect you.

 

10.          TERMINATION

 

10.1         Either party may terminate these Conditions by 30 day's notice to the other party.

 

10.2         Within 7 days after the termination of these Conditions or such longer period as we may agree, you will give us instructions for the delivery (at your sole risk and subject to our rights) of your units, together with payment of all relevant fees and expenses.  If you have not done so, we will continue to hold such units subject to the protections conferred on us under these Conditions but without the obligations imposed under these Conditions.

 

11.          LIEN

 

                All units in the Fund Account and related certificates and documents are subject to a general lien for the discharge of all your liabilities to us.  If you do not perform any of your obligations, we may sell your units or part thereof (whether held by us for safe custody or otherwise) at such price, on such terms and by such method as we may determine.  We may apply the net proceeds to reduce all or any of your liabilities to us on any account..

 

12.          GENERAL

 

12.1         Payments to be made for the purchase of the Funds in a currency other than that of the Funds or received in respect of the Funds in a currency other than that of the Settlement Account may be converted by us into the applicable currency at the rates and times selected by us.

 

12.2         You will be responsible for filing tax and other returns and reports on the transactions we handle for you.

 

12.3         Payments will be made to you subject to applicable laws and regulations and any tax deduction or withholding.

 

12.4         You may not transfer, assign, mortgage or charge your units or transactions or the Fund Account or these Conditions without our prior written consent.

 

 

PART 5 - GENERAL APPLICATION

 

1.             REPRESENTATIONS

 

In connection with each transaction, you represent and acknowledge to us that:

(a)        you are not relying on any advice, statements or recommendations (whether written or oral) from us regarding that transaction;

(b)       you have made your own independent decision to enter into the transaction and as to whether that transaction is appropriate or proper for you based upon your own judgment and upon advice from such third party advisors as you have deemed necessary;

(c)        you have not received from us any assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of that transaction;

(d)       we are not acting as a fiduciary or an advisor for you in respect of that transaction;

(e)        you understand and accept the terms, conditions and risks of that transaction and you are willing to accept those terms and conditions and to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

(f)        you are entering into that transaction as principal and not as agent for any other person, unless you notify us otherwise in writing;

(g)       you are entering into that transaction for the purpose of managing your borrowings or investments, hedging your underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with your business;

(h)       you have all necessary licenses and approvals, and are duly authorised, to perform your obligations under that transaction;

(i)         you are not restricted under the terms of your constitution (if applicable) or in any other manner from performing your obligations under that transaction; and

(j)         all documents and information you deliver and provide to us for the purpose of these Conditions are valid, complete and accurate. 

 

The representations contained in this Condition 1 will survive termination of these Conditions.

 

2.             INFORMATION

 

                We shall keep your information confidential, but may provide any such information to any exchange or regulatory authority to comply with their requirements or requests for information.  Your information may also be disclosed in accordance with our notice from time to time in relation to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

 

3.             INSTRUCTIONS

 

3.1           Unless you have otherwise advised us, your authorised representative has full authority to do everything for you in relation to your Securities Accounts, Custody Accounts, Settlement Account, Fund Account and all Transactions including to give any instructions, withdraw money and securities/ units, enter into and otherwise deal with any Transactions. All instructions given or purported to be given by any means by you or your authorised representative to us are binding on you.  We may, in our discretion, decline to accept any instructions without giving any reason.

 

3.2           You will give instructions to us in writing or through a means we have agreed.  We may reject or act on an instruction not so given.  We may act on an instruction which is inconsistent with an existing arrangement, without enquiry.

 

3.3           You may change your authorised representative or signing arrangements by notice to us and by providing us with required documents.  We may reject an instruction dated prior to the change but subsequently received.   

 

3.4           We may regard your instructions as received by us as being what you intended to send.  We need not verify the identity or authority of the person giving an instruction or the authenticity of an instruction.  We may at our discretion require evidence of identity or authority.

 

3.5           Without prejudice to condition 3.4 above, we shall be entitled to act upon any trading instructions given or which we reasonably believe to be given by you verbally via telephone without verifying your identity by personal identification number. You understand that there are high risks inherent which have been communicated to you prior to the use of phone instructions but agree that the benefits justify these risks. All instructions given or which we reasonably believe to be given by you shall be binding on you.

 

3.6           An instruction once accepted cannot be altered or cancelled, without our agreement. 

 

4.             LIMIT OF LIABILITY, INDEMNITY AND INTEREST

 

4.1         We will not be liable for:

             

              (a) any event beyond our control;

 

              (b) any action which we shall take or omit to take under these Conditions; or

 

              (c) any loss or damage arising from (i) our custody of your assets or any service under these Conditions or (ii) our acceptance of any instructions given or which we reasonably believe  to be given by you,

 

                       unless due to our gross negligence or fraud.

 

4.2           You shall on demand indemnify us against any liabilities, losses or reasonable expenses resulting from your settlement failures or other default or the provision of our services under any transaction or these Conditions.

 

4.3                           You agree to pay interest on all overdue balances (including interest arising after a judgment is obtained against you) at such rates and on such other terms as we have notified you from time to time.

 

4.4           Interest will be paid to you subject to any applicable fiscal or other laws and regulations and to any deduction or withholding in respect of tax required by law.

 

4.5           We may effect any necessary currency conversions for the purposes of these Conditions at the spot rate of exchange (as determined by us in our discretion) prevailing in the relevant foreign exchange market (as selected by us in our discretion) on the relevant date.

 

5.             EVIDENCE

 

5.1           We may tape conversations with you without a warning device.  Our tape may be used as evidence of the contents of the conversation.

 

5.2           Our accounts and records are conclusive of the matters or facts therein stated, and you agree not to dispute them in the absence of manifest error.

 

5.3           All calculations, estimates and determinations by us for the purposes of these Conditions and each transaction are, except to the extent of manifest error, conclusive and binding on you.

 

6.             TERMINATION

 

6.1           These Conditions may be terminated by either party by notice to the other, but shall remain applicable to any transaction then outstanding.   The obligations of the parties under these Conditions will survive the termination of any transaction.

 

6.2           Upon termination of these Conditions, all amounts owing by you under these Conditions will become immediately payable. We may close out and liquidate any or all transactions in accordance with the provisions of Condition 6, Part 3. After deducting amounts owing to you, the cash and securities / units (if any) in the Securities Account and the Custody Account or the Settlement Account and the Fund Account (as the case may be) will be delivered to you at your sole risk and expense. Acting reasonably, we will have no liability for any loss or damage arising from such delivery.

 

7.             COMMUNICATIONS

 

Without affecting other methods of communication, communications to you are deemed to be received by you on posting for 3 banking days in one or more of our banking halls in Hong Kong, 3 days after publication as an advertisement in a Hong Kong newspaper, when communicated including by leaving a voice message, if by telephone or other oral communication, when left at your latest address on our record, or 48 hours after posting to such address or 7 days if the address is overseas, or when sent by email or facsimile to your latest email address or facsimile number on our record, notwithstanding their return through the post, and notwithstanding your death or incapacity.

 

8.             GENERAL

 

8.1           We may change these Conditions by notice to you.  Where practicable, 90 days' prior notice will be given.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior notice of any change to the provisions of the equity‑linked deposits will be given in any event.

 

8.2           Time is of the essence in respect of anything to be done by you under each transaction.

 

8.3           Your rights and obligations under these Conditions and each transaction may not be transferred, mortgaged or charged to any third party without our prior written consent. Subject to the foregoing, these Conditions and each transaction shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective estates, heirs, successors and assigns.

 

8.4           If you are 2 or more persons, your obligations are joint and several, and your powers are joint. We may notify you by notifying any one of you. We may accept instructions from, give receipts to and for all purposes deal with any one of you unless we have received written instructions to the contrary.  Our payment or delivery of securities / units to any one of you discharges our obligations to all of you. Without affecting our rights against any of you, we may compound or vary the obligations of or grant time or other indulgence to any of you.

 

8.5           In these Conditions, the singular includes the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise requires.

 

8.6           These Conditions and each Confirmation constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersede all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.  The provisions of any other written agreements made between you and us shall apply in addition to these Conditions.

 

8.7           If any term or condition or part thereof is invalid, all other terms and conditions remain in full force and effect.

 

8.8          In the event of any inconsistency between the English and Chinese texts of these Conditions, the English text will prevail.  However, the English and Chinese texts of the provisions relating to equity-linked deposits are, in their application to equity-linked deposits, equally authentic.

 

8.9           These Conditions and each transaction are governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Hong Kong courts.

 

 

PART 6 - RISK DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS

 

RISK OF INVESTMENT

 

Investment involves risk, and the offering document should be read for further details.

 

(Where past performance is quoted) the past performance figures shown are not indicative of future performance.

 

EQUITY-LINKED DEPOSITS

 

The risk of loss in a deposit may be substantial in certain circumstances. The interest which may become payable on a deposit is generally higher than the interest on an ordinary time deposit. However, this carries with it equity risk. You accept a legal obligation to take the underlying shares at the pre-agreed Conversion Price instead of receiving the principal of the deposit, if the price of the underlying shares falls below the Conversion Price. You will therefore receive shares that have fallen in value. You will lose the entire deposit if the underlying shares become worthless such as in the case of a liquidation or dissolution. The amount of gain is limited to the pre-determined Interest Rate no matter how high the price of the underlying shares has increased when compared to the pre-agreed Conversion Price.  Equity Linked Deposits are not the same as, and should not be treated as a substitute for, normal fixed time deposits. 

 

CURRENCY-LINKED DEPOSITS

 

The net return on a deposit will depend on the market conditions at the fixing time and at maturity.  You must be prepared to risk any loss as a result of depreciation in the value of the currency which may be paid to you. You may suffer a loss instead of making a gain. 

 

RISK OF SECURITIES TRADING

 

The prices of securities fluctuate, sometimes dramatically.  The price of a security may move up or down, and may become valueless.  It is as likely that losses will be incurred rather than profit made as a result of buying and selling securities.

 

RISK OF TRADING OPTIONS

 

The risk of loss in trading options is substantial. In some circumstances, you may sustain losses in excess of your initial margin funds.  Where applicable, placing contingent orders, such as "stop-loss" or "stop-limit" orders, will not necessarily avoid loss. Market conditions may make it impossible to execute such orders. You may be called upon at short notice to deposit additional margin funds. If the required funds are not provided within the prescribed time, your position may be liquidated. You will remain liable for any resulting deficit in your account. You should therefore study and understand options before you trade and carefully consider whether such trading is suitable in the light of your own financial position and investment objectives.  If you trade options you should inform yourself of exercise and expiration procedures and your rights and obligations upon exercise or expiry.

 

RISK OF LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING

 

The risk of loss in leveraged foreign exchange trading can be substantial. You may sustain losses in excess of your initial margin funds. Where applicable placing contingent orders, such as "stop-loss" or "stop-limit" orders, will not necessarily limit losses to the intended amounts. Market conditions may make it impossible to execute such orders. You may be called upon at short notice to deposit additional margin funds. If the required funds are not provided within the prescribed time, your position may be liquidated. You will remain liable for any resulting deficit in your account. You should therefore carefully consider whether such trading is suitable in light of your own financial position and investment objectives.

 

RISK OF TRADING GROWTH ENTERPRISE MARKET STOCKS

 

Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) stocks involve a high investment risk. In particular, companies may list on GEM with neither a track record of profitability nor any obligation to forecast future profitability.  GEM stocks may be very volatile and illiquid.

 

You should make the decision to invest only after due and careful consideration. The greater risk profile and other characteristics of GEM mean that it is a market more suited to professional and other sophisticated investors.

 

Current information on GEM stocks may only be found on the internet website operated by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. GEM Companies are usually not required to issue paid announcements in gazetted newspapers.

 

You should seek independent professional advice if you are uncertain of or have not understood any aspect of this risk disclosure statement or the nature and risks involved in trading of GEM stocks.

 

RISK OF FUNDS AND UNIT TRUSTS

 

Investment in funds or unit trusts is different to placing moneys on deposit with a bank.  The funds or unit trusts are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, our affiliates or us.  The fund company or unit trust manager is under no obligation to redeem shares in any fund or unit trust at the price at which they were issued.  Although we may not charge a fee for providing services relating to funds or unit trusts, we will normally be paid a commission or rebate by the fund or unit trust manager for arranging transactions involving funds or unit trusts.

Since some markets in which some of the funds or unit trusts invest may be subject to a higher than usual risk of political or economic instability, the assets of and income from such funds or unit trusts may be affected unfavorably by fluctuations in currency rates, exchange control and fiscal regulations and as a result, the shares of these funds and unit trusts may be subject to substantial price volatility.  Some markets may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those applicable in more advanced countries, and there may be less government supervision, legal regulation and less well defined tax laws and procedures than in countries with more advanced securities markets.

 

Certain funds or unit trusts may invest in higher yielding securities rated lower than investment grade.  Below investment grade securities such as, for example, high yield debt securities, may be considered speculative and can include securities that are unrated or in default.  As a result, investment in these funds or unit trusts are accompanied by a higher degree of credit risk than is present in investment in higher rated, lower yielding securities.

 

You should carefully consider prior to investing in funds or unit trusts, (a) the possible tax consequences, (b) the legal requirements and (c) any foreign exchange control requirements which you might encounter under the laws of the countries of your incorporation, citizenship, residence or domicile and which might be relevant to the purchase, sale, subscription, holding, conversion or disposal of the shares in funds or unit trusts.

 

The market for technology or technology-related funds or unit trusts can be highly volatile and in many cases their prices may reflect market speculation rather than the underlying economic value of such funds or unit trusts.

 

Certain capital guaranteed/capital preserved funds or unit trusts generally carry some terms and conditions, and redemption of shares in the funds or unit trusts prior to fulfilling all the terms and conditions specified in the offering documents or prospectus will be subject to market fluctuations or a redemption fee.  Capital guaranteed/capital preserved funds or unit trusts are not guaranteed by us or our affiliates.

 

RISK OF PROVIDING AN AUTHORITY TO REPLEDGE YOUR SECURITIES COLLATERAL ETC.

 

There is risk if you provide us with an authority that allows us to apply your securities or securities collateral pursuant to a securities borrowing and lending agreement, repledge your securities collateral for financial accommodation or deposit your securities collateral as collateral for the discharge and satisfaction of our settlement obligations and liabilities.

 

If your securities or securities collateral are received or held by us in Hong Kong, the above arrangement is allowed only if you consent in writing.  Moreover, unless you are a professional investor, your authority must specify the person for which it is current and be limited to not more than 12 months.  If you are a professional investor, these restrictions do not apply.

 

Additionally, your authority may be deemed to be renewed (i.e. without your written consent) if we issue you a reminder at least 14 days prior to the expiry of the authority, and you do not object to such deemed renewal before the expiry date of your then existing authority.

 

You are not required by any law to sign these authorities.  But an authority may be required by us, for example, to allow your securities or securities collateral to be lent to or deposited as collateral with third parties.  We should explain to you the purposes for which one of these authorities is to be used.

 

If you sign one of these authorities and your securities or securities collateral are lent to or deposited with third parties, those third parties will have a lien or charge on your securities or securities collateral.  Although we are responsible to you for securities or securities collateral lent or deposited under your authority, a default by us could result in the loss of your securities or securities collateral.

 

A cash account not involving securities borrowing and lending is available from us.  If you do not require margin facilities or do not wish your securities or securities collateral to be lent or pledged, do not sign the above authorities and ask to open this type of cash account.

 

RISK OF YOUR ASSETS RECEIVED OR HELD OUTSIDE HONG KONG

 

Your assets received or held by us or our nominee outside Hong Kong are subject to the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant overseas jurisdiction which may be different from the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571) and the rules made thereunder. Consequently, your asset may not enjoy the same protection as that conferred on customer asset received or held in Hong Kong.

 

RISK OF PROVIDING AN AUTHORITY TO HOLD MAIL OR TO DIRECT MAIL TO THIRD PARTIES

 

You understand that if you provide us with an authority to hold mail or to direct mail to third parties, it is important for you to promptly collect in person all contract notes and statements of your account and review them in detail to ensure that any anomalies or mistakes can be detected in a timely fashion.

               

RISK OF TRADING NASDAQ-AMEX SECURITIES AT THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LIMITED

 

The securities under the Nasdaq-Amex Pilot Program (PP) are aimed at sophisticated investors.  You should consult us and become familiarised with the PP before trading in the PP securities.  You should be aware that the PP securities are not regulated as a primary or secondary listing on the Main Board or the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

 

RISK OF CUSTODY

 

There may be risks in leaving securities / units in our safekeeping.  For example, if we are holding your securities/ units and we become insolvent, you may experience significant delay in recovering the securities/ units. 

 

GENERAL

 

Transactions are "non transferable" and it may be impossible for you to close out or liquidate them.

 

Any recommendation or information given by us to you are for your reference only. Reliance on such recommendation or information is at your own risk. We make no representations regarding the performance of your investment.

 

You confirm to us that you have sufficient knowledge and experience to be able to evaluate the merits and risks of entering into each transaction, are acting in reliance solely upon your own judgment or upon professional advice obtained independently of us as to those merits and risks (including, where relevant, the tax and accounting treatment of each transaction) and are not relying upon our views or advice.

 

We may have existing or future commercial or banking relationships with the issuer of the underlying shares or its affiliates, and will pursue actions which we deem appropriate to protect our interests, without any obligation to disclose or account to you, and regardless of whether any such action might adversely affect you.

 

You should not deal in a transaction unless you understand the nature of the transaction you are entering into and the extent of your exposure to risk. You should carefully consider whether the transaction is suitable for you in the light of your circumstances and financial position.  If you have any concerns about any transaction you should consult your professional advisers.

 

[If there is any discrepancy between the English and Chinese versions, the English version shall prevail.]

 

 

Conditions for Investment Fund Savings Plan

 

The following terms and conditions apply to CMB Wing Lung Bank Ltd Investment Fund Savings Plan (Plan).  Please read them carefully, particularly Conditions 9, 13, 14 and 15 and risk disclosure statement at the end.

 

In these Conditions, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to CMB Wing Lung Bank Ltd.  “You” and “your” refer to the Applicant.  The singular includes the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise requires.  Terms used bear the meaning ascribed to them in the Application Form.

 

To the extent applicable, the terms and conditions of the Client Agreement (Funds) or (as the case may be) the Master Conditions (Securities, Deposit Products, Options and Investment Funds) shall also apply to the Plan as if all references to “this Agreement” in the Client Agreement (Funds) or (as the case may be) “these Conditions” in the Master Conditions (Securities, Deposit Products, Options and Investment Funds) referred to these Conditions.  In case of inconsistency, these Conditions shall prevail.

 

1.        If you wish to establish a monthly investment fund savings, plan, please apply in the form (Application Form) provided by us.  You will, with our agreement, select the unit trusts, mutual funds, collective investment schemes or other investments (Funds) you wish to buy, and specify the Monthly Contribution Amount you will pay for each Fund.  Only those Funds notified by us from time to time are available for your selection.

2.        Following our acceptance of your application, you will pay the agreed Total Monthly Contribution Amount to us on the agreed date in each calendar month (or, if it is not a business day, on the next business day) (Contribution Date).  The first payment will be due on the first Contribution Date falling at least 2 business days (which is a day, except Saturdays, on which banks in Hong Kong are generally open for business) after the date of your application.

3.        We will use each Monthly Contribution Amount actually received from you (after deducting all relevant fees and expenses) towards buying on your behalf, the maximum number (rounded downwards to the number of decimal places as prescribed by the relevant fund manager from time to time) of units, shares or interests (units) of the agreed Fund (a) on the 1st business day after the Contribution Date or as soon as practicable thereafter if your Settlement Account is maintained with us, or (b) on the 3rd business day after the Contribution Date or as soon as practicable thereafter if your Settlement Account is not maintained with us (Subscription Date).  If we cannot buy units in any of the agreed Funds after 3 consecutive business days for whatever reason, we will cease to buy units in the relevant Fund(s) on your behalf, notify you and credit any unused Monthly Contribution Amount(s) (without interest) to your Settlement Account.

4.        In determining the price payable by you, we may use the weighted average price of purchases of units in the Funds under similar orders of all our customers.

5.        If any purchased units are less than the total requirements of similar orders of all our customers, we may allocate them in a fair manner.

6.        Units purchased on behalf of all our customers will be held in the account of our nominee, Wing Lung Bank (Nominees) Ltd., and units purchased on your behalf will be recorded in your Fund Account.

7.        If the amount actually received from you on the Contribution Date is less than the Total Monthly Contribution Amount, unless otherwise agreed with you before the Subscription Date, we may make no purchase and refund the moneys (without interest) to your Settlement Account.

8.        Payments to be made for the purchase of units in a currency other than that of the agreed Funds may be converted by us into the applicable currency at the rates and times selected by us.  We may refuse to accept any payment in a currency other than that of the agreed Funds at any time.  Payments to be received by us on your behalf in respect of the Funds from time to time in a currency other than that of your Settlement Account may be converted by us into the applicable currency at the rates and times selected by us.  We may deduct all fees and expenses for the conversion from each such payment.

9.        You acknowledge receipt of a list of our fees and charges.  We may change our fees and charges from time to time after notice to you.  You will pay our fees and charges, and all out-of-pocket expenses including sums payable in respect of your units, overdraft interest arising from your transactions, the expenses of our sub-custodians and nominees, applicable fees of any exchange, clearing house, registrar and regulatory authority, and applicable stamp duties, taxes and expenses.  You will pay in the amounts and within the times notified to you.  We may deduct all such amounts from your accounts with us.

10.     Your plan is subject to change by us, and may be changed by you with our agreement.  If you wish to change any details of your plan, please apply in the form provided by us.  An agreed change of your Settlement Account to an account maintained with a third party bank will become effective as from the first Contribution Date falling at least 2 months later.  Any other agreed change will become effective as from the first Contribution Date falling at least 2 business days later.

11.     You may terminate your plan at any time after notice to us and, if we require, paying us a surcharge.  If you wish to terminate your plan, please apply in the form provided by us.  We may terminate your plan by 7 days’ prior notice to you.  However, if you fail to pay the Total Monthly Contribution Amount in full on 2 consecutive Contribution Dates, we may terminate your plan without notice and a surcharge may be levied by us.

12.     You may not transfer, assign, mortgage or charge your units or transactions or your Fund Account or these Conditions without our prior written consent.  Subject to the foregoing, these Conditions will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective estates, heirs, successors and assigns.

13.     We will not be liable for any event beyond our control, or unless due to our gross negligence or fraud for any act or omission under these Conditions.

14.     Any recommendation or information given by us to you are for your reference only.  Reliance on such recommendation or information is at your own risk.  The actual price of a particular Fund is determined by the relevant fund manager, and any quotations provided by us are only indicative.  We make no representations regarding the performance of your investment.

15.     You will indemnify us against any liabilities, losses or expenses arising out of our service or any breach of your obligations.

16.     If you are 2 or more persons, your obligations are joint and several, and your powers are joint.  We may notify you by notifying any one of you.  We may accept instructions from, give receipts to and for all purposes deal with any one of you unless we have received written instructions to the contrary.  Our payment or delivery of units to any one of you discharges our obligations to all of you.  Without affecting our rights against any of you, we may compound or vary the obligations of or grant time or other indulgence to any of you.

17.     If any provision or part thereof is invalid, all other provisions remain in full force and effect.

18.     These Conditions are governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.  The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Hong Kong courts.

 

Risk Disclosure Statement

Investment involves risk, and the offering document should be read for further details.  (Where past performance is quoted) the past performance figures shown are not indicative of future performance.

 

[If there is any discrepancy between the English and Chinese versions, the English version shall prevail.]