08 Nov 2022

按揭交易直接電子轉帳即日生效 減低律師樓託管風險
Direct electronic transfer of mortgage transactions takes effect immediately, reducing the risk of law firm escrow

香港銀行公會宣布，由今日起（11 月 7 日）銀行客戶就住宅按揭轉按交易將有多一種支付安排選擇。有關安排已獲香港金融管理局認可。在現有的支付安排下，當進行轉按交易時，按揭款項會先轉帳至律師行以作託管，然後由律師行發出支票以清繳客戶的原有按揭貸款。在新增的支付安排下，銀行可通過即時電子轉帳直接處理相關支付。此舉既能配合數碼支付年代的發展，亦能減低出現與支付相關的風險，有效加強對客戶的保障。
為協助客戶認識新增的支付安排，銀行公會製作了相關的電子小冊子，並刊載於銀行公會網站 。銀行公會鼓勵客戶多了解新增的支付安排及其好處，並積極考慮採用有關安排作物業轉按交易。客戶可向銀行查詢更多相關資料。

The Hong Kong Association of Banks announced that from today (7 November), bank customers will have one more payment arrangement option for residential mortgage re-mortgage transactions. The arrangement has been approved by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Under the existing payment arrangement, when a remortgage transaction is made, the mortgage payment will first be transferred to the law firm for escrow, and then the law firm will issue a cheque to settle the client's original mortgage loan. Under the new payment arrangement, banks can directly process related payments via instant electronic transfer. This move can not only match the development of the digital payment era, but also reduce the risks related to payment, and effectively strengthen the protection for customers.
To help customers understand the new payment arrangements, the Association of Banks has produced relevant e-booklets and posted them on the Association of Banks website. The Association of Banks encourages customers to learn more about the new payment arrangements and their benefits, and actively consider adopting such arrangements for property remortgage transactions. Customers can check with the bank for more relevant information.