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Greater Bay Area

Business Challenges

Background

As cross-border activities and financial integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) continue to grow, enterprises engaged in cross-border operations, expansion, and financing increasingly need bank-recognized cross-border credit information sharing. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) have introduced relevant arrangements and pilot programs under the Cross-Border Credit Reference Connectivity (CBCR) framework to promote the two-way flow of cross-border commercial credit information, explicitly adopting a credit bureau collaboration model.
Core Industry Pain Points

Enterprises operating or relocating across borders often lack locally usable credit histories. As a result, banks may not be able to complete due diligence effectively, and credit approval and service delivery may be delayed. When banks evaluate cross-border credit facilities linked to Mainland-related entities, it can be difficult to obtain credit information across borders, and transparency may also be limited. This can affect credit assessment quality and approval speed.
Objectives

By promoting credit information connectivity between Hong Kong and the Mainland, banks can conduct more comprehensive and accurate credit assessments, while helping clients access financing and financial services in a more convenient, faster, and cost-efficient manner.

Our Solution

Cross-Border Credit Reference Connectivity Support Solution

Dun & Bradstreet provides cross-border corporate credit solutions for Hong Kong banks, enabling more effective access to cross-border corporate credit information when assessing credit risks related to Mainland-related entities. Under the CBCR pilot collaboration model, banks can request credit information from the “other jurisdiction” through their local credit bureau, and subsequently apply it within their local credit assessment and approval processes (Southbound and Northbound flows).

The Business Credit Report, designed for financial institutions, aims to strengthen credit risk management, accelerate credit decision-making, and streamline credit evaluation processes. As a key component of Dun & Bradstreet’s GBA cross-border enterprise credit solution, the Business Credit Report provides multi-dimensional data references for Mainland enterprises seeking cross-border financing in the GBA, supporting bank credit decisions and facilitating cross-border financing activities.

For Financial Institutions
- Reduce information gaps: Multi-dimensional corporate data helps banks better understand a company’s credit profile and financial performance, improving the quality of credit assessments.
- Improved efficiency and risk control: Supports faster credit assessment and approval processes, strengthens credit risk management capabilities, and enhances the accuracy of riskbased-pricing.
For Enterprises

One objective of cross-border credit reference connectivity is to help cross-border clients obtain financing and financial services more easily, more quickly, and at lower cost, particularly benefiting entities with limited credit records in Hong Kong.
For Compliance and Data Governance
- The CBCR pilot emphasizes customer consent, data security and protection, risk management, and control, and explicitly aligns with regulatory requirements including the HKMA’s Supervisory Policy Manual.
- For delivery, the Southbound pilot adopts measures such as encrypted data transmission, with control embedded in the process including authorization documents validation and delivery verification.

Key Features

Data and Reporting Framework
- Authorized and compliant data access: Subject to explicit enterprise authorization, data is sourced from Mainland public administration or service authorities, public credit information systems, and other legally authorized data sources to produce credit reports.
- Multi-dimensional data elements: The externally delivered China Enterprise Credit Report can cover multiple data themes, with optional model-based scoresand analytics.
Cross-Border Delivery Process
- Key steps in the Southbound pilot include:
  1.Bank obtains authorization from the target enterprise.
  2.Hong Kong credit bureau requests and compiles the enterprise credit report from the Mainland credit bureau.
  3.Hong Kong side sverifies the report.
  4.The report delivers to the bank for credit decision-making reference.
- In selected crossborder verification scenarios, hash validation and consistency checks may be applied to verify the integrity and authenticity of cross-border report files prior to submission to financial institutions.
Data Security and Cross-Border Privacy Framework

Dun & Bradstreet’s cross-border data processing follows a unified standard, including 12 core principles and internal group agreements, and is governed by applicable laws, recipient-jurisdiction adequacy assessments, and multi-lateral frameworks.
Local Qualifications and Ecosystem Role

Operating on both the Mainland and Hong Kong sides, Dun & Bradstreet concurrently fulfills the role of a credit bureau, working in collaboration with banks to support pilot implementations.

Customer Stories

Bank of China (Hong Kong) and HSBC (Hong Kong)
Bank of China (Hong Kong) and HSBC (Hong Kong): Assisted in Completing Cross-Border Credit Information Flow
- Business Credit Report
Background

As cross-border business activities continue to grow, economic and financial integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is deepening.

Challenges

Ensuring the lawful and compliant exchange of credit data between Hong Kong and the Mainland has long been a challenge. Enterprises must strike a balance between data transparency, regulatory compliance, and risk control.

Solutions & Results

Dun & Bradstreet introduced a targeted and comprehensive data solution, enhances transparency in cross-border credit assessment, facilitates more informed credit decisions and accelerates cross-border financing processes while strengthening financial risk management.
HKTDC
Partnering with HKTDC to help Hong Kong SMEs Accelerate their International Expansion
- D&B Checked Service
Background

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) was established in 1966 to promote, facilitate and develop Hong Kong's trade.

Challenges

In online procurement, medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face challenges due to their limited brand recognition. Buyers tend to lack confidence in the credibility of their products or services, making it difficult for SMEs to secure deals efficiently.

Solutions & Results

Dun & Bradstreet has been working with HKTDC to enhance trust in Hong Kong SMEs on its online procurement platform through the D&B Checked Service. Each year, Dun & Bradstreet verifies company details including corporate background, contact information, and relevant registration documents.
HKTDC
HKTDC: Partnering with HKTDC to Help SMEs Improve their Competitiveness
- D&B ESG Registered
Background

The T-box program, launched by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is designed to support SMEs in enhancing their competitiveness and achieving transformation in key areas.

Challenges

As an ESG Partner recognized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, D&B ESG Registered™ service aims to support companies to expand their business, enhance their reputation and attract investors, while achieving their net-zero targets.

Solutions & Results

Dun & Bradstreet offered T-box members a two-month discount on D&B ESG Registered™. Companies that successfully complete the required assessments will receive the D& B ESG Registered™ certification, recognizing their commitment to ESG data disclosure.