2018 Compliance Salary Guide

Expected compliance salaries for professionals in Hong Kong in 2018 ranging from analyst to managing director.

Compliance Salaries

(HKD per month)

Role	Analyst	Associate / AVP	VP / SVP	Executive Director	Managing Director
Head of Compliance	*	*	*	125k - 183k	183k+
Regulatory Compliance	25k - 40k	40k - 75k	75k - 125k	130k - 165k	165k+
AML	25k - 42k	42k - 75k	75k - 135k	140k - 180k	180k+
Product Specific Advisory	25k - 42k	42k - 80k	75k - 140k	140k - 180k	180k+
General Compliance	15k - 35k	40k - 70k	70k - 100k	110k - 140k	140k+
IBD / Research	20k - 35k	40k - 75k	75k - 110k	120k - 160k	160k+
Control Room	15k - 35k	40k - 70k	70k - 110k	110k - 160k	160k+
Monitoring / Surveillance	15k - 35k	35k - 70k	70k - 105k	105k - 120k	120k+
Private Banking Compliance	15k - 35k	35k - 75k	75k - 120k	120k - 170k	170k+
Buy - Side Compliance	15k - 35k	35k - 75k	75k - 120k	120k - 150k	150k+
Tax Compliance	25k - 35k	40k - 70k	70k - 110k	110k - 125k	125k+
Banking Lawyer	50k - 80k	80k - 110k	110k - 140k	140k - 185k	185k+

* Roles do not typically exist at these levels

Commentary on Compliance Roles and Remuneration in Hong Kong for 2018

Hiring in compliance and AML (anti-money laundering) and FCC has been very busy during the last four to five years, stimulated by the 2012 regulatory changes. But this year there has been a slight downturn in activity as the trend for outsourcing functions to India, the Philippines and Malaysia continues.

We are seeing the restructuring of many compliance departments, especially in AML where we have seen some responsibilities being consolidated (such as within anti-bribery & sanctions, transaction monitoring, name screening and investigations) and some of the more “operational” compliance roles being outsourced to Manila, Kuala Lumpur or India. 

The effect of this downsizing is that there are more candidates and fewer roles. High quality, experienced advisory compliance managers who can partner with the business are still in demand, but where previously compliance managers enjoyed 25-35% salary increments for lateral moves, the average for 2017 was 20%. We expect bonuses for 2017 to be similar to 2016, ranging from 1.5-2 months for VP, Director level and above and 1-2 months for analyst to associate level.