In most countries of the world, the issue of banknotes is handled exclusively by a single central bank or government.

Although it is common practice for most Hong Kong businesses to reject $1,000 notes due to the risk of counterfeit money.

HK$10 banknotes are currently the only denomination issued by the HKMA, having acquired the note printing plant at Tai Po from the De La Rue Group of the UK on behalf of the Government.

The older (green) 10-dollar banknotes previously issued by two commercial banks are still circulating and remain legal tender, although they are being phased out since September 2005.

Banknotes circulated by the three different note issuers, 2020[3] The Government, through the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, authorises three commercial banks to issue currency notes in Hong Kong: Authorisation is accompanied by a set of terms and conditions agreed on between the Government and the three note-issuing banks.

In April 1996, the HKMA acquired the note printing plant at Tai Po from the De La Rue Group of the United Kingdom on behalf of the Government.

The acquisition of the plant enables the Government, through the HKMA, to be directly involved in the production of Hong Kong currency notes, which is in line with the responsibilities conferred upon the Government under the Legal Tender Notes Issue Ordinance and the Basic Law.

The Government continues to exercise management control and maintains a majority stake in HKNPL, with the Chief Executive of the HKMA as the chairman of the company.

[5] In September 2009, Standard Chartered Bank issued the world's first 150-dollar denomination banknote, at its 150th anniversary.

Although legal tender, the notes are unlikely to enter circulation, due to their rarity and expected higher re-sale value.

No reproduced images should be submitted with the application because such an action would already amount to a breach of section 103 of the Crimes Ordinance.

It is a criminal offence under the Crimes Ordinance to manufacture or knowingly pass, tender or possess a counterfeit banknote.