Overview

This eSeminar is a recorded session of the "SFC Focus on IPO Sponsors: Key Obligations and Lessons Learned" webinar held on 2 June 2026.

Ms Yuan Zheng examines the SFC's heightened scrutiny of IPO sponsors and the evolving expectations of their gatekeeper role in Hong Kong's capital markets. Drawing on recent regulatory inspections and practical case studies, she discusses key areas of focus, including disclosure quality in listing documents, responses to regulatory comments, sponsor oversight and resourcing, FINI compliance, investor independence, and emerging enforcement themes. The session also highlights practical measures sponsors can adopt to strengthen governance, due diligence, and regulatory compliance.

Objective

After completing this course, you will be able to:
1. Identify the key factors driving the SFC’s heightened regulatory focus on IPO sponsor work.

2. Describe the core obligations of IPO sponsors and key stages of the Hong Kong listing process.

3. Recognise the key regulatory concerns highlighted in the SFC circular dated 30 January 2026, including prospectus drafting and disclosure, responses to regulatory comments, and FINI/placement issues.

Content

1. Factors driving the heightened regulatory attention to IPO work

2. Sponsor obligations & key elements of the listing process
2a) High-level sponsor obligations
2b) Indicative timeline
2c) Practical focus: sponsor interactions with SFC and HKEX during the listing process

3. Three main areas of concern from SFC circular on 30 January 2026:
3a) Drafting issues, misrepresentations and omissions
3b) Handling and responding to regulatory comments
3c) FINI / placement issues

4. Lessons learned from issues flagged by regulators (case-driven)
4a) Common pitfalls observed in recent cases
4b) Controls and process improvements sponsors can implement to avoid repeat issues

Who should attend

The webinar mainly targets corporate finance practitioners and sponsors. Senior management including directors, ROs, MICs, legal/compliance, risk managers and capital markets professionals involved in IPO execution who interface with sponsors and regulators.