Bank of China is the bank with the longest continuous operation among Chinese banks. Formally established in February 1912, the Bank served consecutively as the country’s central bank, international exchange bank and specialised international trade bank. After 1949, drawing on its long history as the state-designated specialised foreign exchange and trade bank, the Bank became responsible for managing China’s foreign exchange operations and offering international trade settlement, overseas fund transfer and other non-trade foreign exchange services. Restructured into a wholly state-owned commercial bank in 1994, the Bank has developed into a large commercial bank delivering a range of financial services in local and foreign currencies, boasting comprehensive and diversified businesses and strong competitive advantages. The Bank was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2006, becoming the first Chinese bank to launch an A-Share and H-Share initial public offering and achieve a dual listing in both markets. The Bank was the official banking partner of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, thus making it the only bank in China to serve two Olympic Games. In 2011, Bank of China became the first financial institution from an emerging economy to be designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank, a designation it has now maintained for 14 consecutive years. With its growing international status, competitiveness and comprehensive strengths, the Bank has marched forward into the ranks of the world’s large banks. At present, following the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, the Bank takes serving the real economy as its fundamental mission, risk prevention and control as its eternal theme, consolidating and expanding its globalised advantages and improving its global layout capabilities as its primary task. Furthermore, the Bank concentrates on the five major tasks of promoting technology finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance, and contributes to the building of a strong financial powerhouse through diligent and pragmatic practice. As China’s most globalised and integrated bank, Bank of China has institutions across the Chinese mainland as well as in 64 countries and regions, with BOCHK and the Macau Branch serving as local note-issuing banks in their respective markets. The Bank has a well-established global service network and an integrated financial service system based on the pillars of its corporate banking, personal banking, financial markets and other commercial banking business, which covers investment banking, direct investment, securities, insurance, funds, aircraft leasing, asset management, financial technology, financing leasing and other areas, thus providing its customers with financial solutions featuring global expertise and comprehensive services accessible at any point of contact.
Bank of China embodies a noble sense of commitment and responsibility. Since its establishment 113 years ago, the Bank has steadfastly upheld its historic mission of “promoting social welfare and contributing to a prosperous nation”. This mission has formed a valuable spiritual legacy that aligns with the financial culture with Chinese characteristics: to remain committed to honesty and trustworthiness, to seek interest without compromising moral principles, to be prudent and cautious in work, to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and to be compliant with law and regulations. On the new journey towards building a modern socialist country in all respects, Bank of China will adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and faithfully implement the new development philosophy. It will accurately identify the convergence points, focal points, and supporting points for implementing national policies and plans and achieving its high-quality development. It will serve as a practitioner in implementing the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, a primary force in supporting the real economy, a pioneer in serving the new development pattern featuring the positive interplay between domestic and international economic flows, a bedrock for maintaining financial stability, and an active player in strengthening large state-owned financial institutions. It will unswervingly follow the path of financial development with Chinese characteristics, continue to break new ground for its high-quality development, and make greater contributions to comprehensively advancing the building of a stronger country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese modernization.