Bank of China was formally established in February 1912 following the approval of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The Bank served consecutively as the country's central bank, international exchange bank and specialized international trade bank. Fulfilling its commitment to serving the public and developing China's national finance, the Bank rose to a leading position in the Chinese financial industry and developed a good standing in the international financial community, despite many hardships and setbacks. After 1949, drawing on its long history as the state-designated specialized foreign exchange and trade bank, the Bank became responsible for managing China's foreign exchange operations and provided vital support to the nation's foreign trade development and economic infrastructure by its offering of international trade settlement, overseas fund transfer and other non-trade foreign exchange services. During China's reform and opening up period, the Bank seized the historic opportunity presented by the government's strategy of capitalizing on foreign funds and advanced technologies to boost economic development, and became the country's key foreign financing channel by building up its competitive advantages in foreign exchange business. In 1994, the Bank was transformed into a wholly state-owned commercial bank. In August 2004, Bank of China Limited was incorporated. The Bank was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in June and July 2006 respectively, becoming the first Chinese commercial bank to launch an A-Share and H-Share initial public offering and achieve a dual listing in both markets. In 2016, Bank of China was again designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank, thus becoming the sole financial institution from emerging economies to be designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank for six consecutive years.

 

As China's most internationalized and diversified bank, Bank of China provides a comprehensive range of financial services to customers across the Chinese mainland as well as 53 countries and regions. The Bank's core business is commercial banking, including corporate banking, personal banking and financial markets services. BOC International Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, is the Bank's investment banking arm. Bank of China Group Insurance Company Limited and Bank of China Insurance Company Limited, both wholly owned subsidiaries, run the Bank's insurance business. Bank of China Group Investment Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, undertakes the Bank's direct investment and investment management business. Bank of China Investment Management Co., Ltd., a controlled subsidiary, operates the Bank's fund management business. BOC Aviation Limited, a controlled subsidiary, is in charge of the Bank's aircraft leasing business.

 

Bank of China has upheld the spirit of “pursuing excellence” throughout its history of over one century. With adoration of the nation in its soul, integrity as its backbone, reform and innovation as its path forward and “people first” as its guiding principle, the Bank has built up an excellent brand image that is widely recognized within the industry and by its customers. Faced with new historic opportunities, the Bank will meet its social responsibilities, strive for excellence, and make further contributions to achieving the China Dream and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.