Shinhan Investment Corp announced on the 7th that it signed an MOU with GF Securities (Hong Kong) for cooperation on foreign integrated account services. The foreign integrated account service allows foreign individual investors to order Korean stocks through integrated accounts under the name of overseas securities firms without needing to open separate accounts at domestic securities firms. Financial Investment Business Regulations were amended early this year, fully abolishing restrictions on integrated account opening entities and significantly lowering entry barriers for securities firms into this market.
Foreign Integrated Account Service Explained
The foreign integrated account service is a system that enables foreign individual investors to order domestic stocks through integrated accounts under the name of overseas securities firms without creating separate accounts at domestic securities firms. Previously, foreign investors had to directly open accounts at domestic securities firms and go through complex investment registration procedures.
GF Securities Hong Kong Company Profile
GF Securities (Hong Kong) is a subsidiary of GF Securities, headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. It is one of China's first comprehensive securities firms based in a core city of the Greater Bay Area. GF Securities is the third Chinese securities firm to simultaneously list A-shares and H-shares. The company recorded third place in the industry by revenue as of the first quarter of 2026, demonstrating consistent growth.
Regulatory Changes Enable Market Entry
Foreign integrated account services have become a market that domestic securities firms are entering one after another recently. The Financial Investment Business Regulations amendment early this year fully abolished restrictions on integrated account opening entities. This regulatory change significantly lowered entry barriers for securities firms.
Shinhan Investment Corp CEO Lee Sun-hoon stated that the recent trend in capital markets is investors and capital connecting more freely across national and market boundaries. Lee expressed hope that the MOU between the two companies would serve as a starting point for sincere cooperation in various business areas.
FAQ
What did Shinhan Investment Corp announce on the 7th?
Shinhan Investment Corp announced on the 7th that it signed an MOU with GF Securities (Hong Kong) for cooperation on foreign integrated account services.
What is the foreign integrated account service?
The foreign integrated account service is a system that allows foreign individual investors to order Korean stocks through integrated accounts under the name of overseas securities firms without needing to open separate accounts at domestic securities firms.
What regulatory change enabled this market expansion?
The Financial Investment Business Regulations were amended early this year, fully abolishing restrictions on integrated account opening entities and significantly lowering entry barriers for securities firms into this market.
