HKIB ECF-Compliance Core study plan
HKIB ECF-Compliance Core · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Map the ECF-Compliance Core Level syllabus into a personal topic checklist covering the HKMA supervisory framework, banking conduct, and compliance function responsibilities
Define the roles of the HKMA, SFC, and other regulators in Hong Kong's banking compliance landscape and distinguish their mandates
Explain the three lines of defence model and locate the compliance function within it
Draft a glossary of 40 core compliance terms in your own words for spaced review
Your checkpoint
A one-page syllabus map with every Core Level topic assigned a study week and a 40-term personal glossary
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Summarise the key provisions of the Banking Ordinance and the HKMA's supervisory policy manuals relevant to compliance
Describe the risk-based supervisory approach and how supervisory ratings and examinations work
Explain the role of the Compliance Officer and the reporting lines to senior management and the board
Produce 20 practice questions on regulatory architecture and score at least 80%
Your checkpoint
A 15-question self-test on Hong Kong regulatory architecture with written corrections for every missed item
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Break down the AML/CFT regime: customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, suspicious transaction reporting, and record keeping
Apply the risk-based approach to at least three customer scenarios and justify the due diligence level chosen
Explain sanctions screening, politically exposed persons, and correspondent banking risks
Compare FATF recommendations with Hong Kong's AMLO and the HKMA's AML guidelines
Your checkpoint
Three written case assessments applying CDD and STR decisions with cited regulatory basis
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Explain market conduct requirements including the Treat Customers Fairly principles and selling practices for investment and insurance products
Describe personal data privacy obligations under the PDPO as they apply to customer information
Summarise outsourcing, operational resilience, and technology risk expectations for compliance
Complete a timed 40-question mixed mock covering weeks 1 to 4
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-question mock with a score log and an error-cause analysis by topic
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Map the compliance programme lifecycle: risk assessment, policy drafting, training, monitoring, and testing
Design a compliance monitoring and testing plan for one business line, specifying scope, sampling, and reporting
Explain how compliance risk appetite statements translate into limits and metrics
Identify escalation paths for breaches and the handling of regulatory notifications and investigations
Your checkpoint
A two-page compliance monitoring plan for a retail banking unit with sampling rationale and escalation steps
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Analyse conflicts of interest, gifts and entertainment, and personal account dealing controls
Describe whistleblowing channels and the protections and handling standards expected in Hong Kong banks
Explain bribery and corruption risks under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance in a banking context
Practise 30 scenario-based questions on conduct and ethics, targeting 85% accuracy
Your checkpoint
A conduct-risk scenario workbook of 10 original cases with model answers and rule references
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Consolidate cross-topic links between AML, conduct, outsourcing, and governance into a single mental model
Rehearse full-length timed practice under exam conditions and track pacing per question
Rewrite weak-topic notes into concise one-page summaries for final revision
Identify and close the three lowest-scoring topics from earlier mocks
Your checkpoint
Two full timed practice runs with scores, pacing data, and a ranked list of remaining weak topics
Compliance (Enhanced Competency Framework on Compliance – Core Level)
Review all one-page summaries and glossary entries using spaced repetition over five short sessions
Recite the key regulatory instruments, their purposes, and the responsible bodies without notes
Complete a final timed mock and review every incorrect answer to root cause
Prepare exam-day logistics, timing strategy, and a last-day revision sheet limited to two pages
Your checkpoint
A final timed mock score of at least 85% plus a two-page exam-day revision sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain the HKMA's supervisory approach and the compliance function's place in governance without notes, scoring at least 80% on the architecture self-test
Week 4: Scores at least 75% on the timed 40-question mock and has a written error analysis naming the three weakest topics
Week 6: Scores at least 85% on conduct and ethics scenario questions and has completed the 10-case workbook
Week 8: Scores at least 85% on the final full timed mock with no topic below 70% and has the two-page revision sheet finished