Hong Kong's legal and banking community is facing potential disruption this week due to mass pro-democracy protests taking place in the city's central business district and surrounding areas.

The Hong Kong monetary authority (HKMA) issued a statement today (29 September) to say some 29 branches, offices or ATMs of 17 banks had been temporarily closed and forced to activate business continuity plans.

Those affected include HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of China. However, the city's de facto Central Bank said the Hong Kong interbank markets and currency board mechanism would continue to function normally.