The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced Friday it has received 21,602 complaints up to Thursday concerning Lehman-Brothers-related products.

Among them, 21,260 complaints have gone through the preliminary assessment process. As a result of the assessment, the HKMA is currently investigating 6,283 cases and seeking further information on 12,054 cases.

A total of 1,993 complaints have been closed as there was not sufficient prima facie evidence found after the preliminary assessment process or no sufficient grounds and evidence found after the detailed investigation.

A proportion of the complaints concerning Minibonds are eligible for a repurchase offer under the Lehman Brothers Minibonds Repurchase Scheme announced by 16 Distributing Banks on July 22.

The Distributing Banks are identifying the Eligible Customers under the Scheme and have started issuing offer letters on Friday, said an HKMA spokesperson.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2009)