Some banks start moving staff to back-up premises on HK's outskirts

[HONG KONG] Some banks and other financial firms have begun moving staff to back-up premises on the outskirts of Hong Kong to prevent growing unrest in the financial hub from disrupting trading and other critical functions, two business services firms said.

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters have blocked parts of the Central financial district since Friday in protest against Beijing's decision to limit voters' choice in elections due in 2017.

The protests, which have been largely peaceful, represent the biggest potential business disruption since the outbreak of Sars in 2003, when several banks moved some of their dealing operations to other Asian trading hubs.