The banking system and financial market functioned normally, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority reported today.
The Hong Kong dollar eased somewhat, to close at 7.7697 per US dollar during New York trade last night, but slightly strengthened to the 7.765 level when the Hong Kong market opened today.
Trading has been normal, the authority said. There is ample liquidity in the banking system, interbank rates are at levels similar to last week, the Real Time Gross Settlement systems and the Central Moneymarkets Unit operated normally, and the four settlement systems - Hong Kong dollar, renminbi, US dollar and Euro - recorded a total turnover equivalent to $1.7 trillion as at 4pm today.
As at 4pm today, a total of 33 branches or offices of 19 banks have been affected by the Occupy Central protests and are temporarily closed. Since the normal distribution of bank notes and cheque clearing operations in the affected areas has been disrupted, people can expect a temporary suspension of ATM services in those places.
To prepare for today which is the end of the financial quarter, and the start of the Golden Week holiday tomorrow, the authority had earlier asked banks to step up liquidity management. It is also prepared to inject Hong Kong dollar and renminbi liquidity into the banking system, if necessary.
The authority will maintain close contact with banks and make appropriate arrangements to ensure the banking system will function normally after the public holiday.
