
The Bank of Communications has a rich history that spans over 160 years, dating back to 1865 when it was founded as the Ho Kwan Yip Company in Shanghai. It was initially a small trading company that gradually expanded its operations to become one of the largest banks in China.
The bank's early success was largely due to its strategic location in Shanghai, which was a major trading hub at the time. This allowed the bank to connect with merchants and traders from all over the world.
The Bank of Communications' operations have evolved significantly over the years, from its early days as a small trading company to a modern banking institution with a wide range of financial services. Today, it offers a variety of services including corporate banking, personal banking, and investment banking.
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History
The Bank of Communications has a rich history that spans over a century. It was first proposed in 1907 by Liang Shiyi to redeem the Beijing–Hankou Railway from its Belgian owners. The bank was formed in 1908 and played a significant role in the country's early development.
In the early 20th century, the bank expanded its operations overseas, opening its first Hong Kong branch in 1934. However, its note-issuance privilege was revoked in 1942, along with the Bank of China and the Farmers Bank of China. This was a significant setback for the bank.
The bank's history is marked by periods of growth and decline. After the Chinese Civil War, the bank's operations in the mainland were merged into the PBC and PCBC, while the Hong Kong branch continued to exist. The bank was re-established as a mainland commercial bank in 1986 and has since continued to grow and expand its operations.
Here are some key dates in the bank's history:
- 1907: Liang Shiyi proposes the formation of the Bank of Communications
- 1908: The bank is formed
- 1934: The bank opens its first Hong Kong branch
- 1942: The bank loses its note-issuance privilege
- 1986: The bank is re-established as a mainland commercial bank
Before 1949
The Bank of Communications has a rich history that dates back to 1907, when Liang Shiyi proposed the formation of the bank to redeem the Beijing–Hankou Railway from its Belgian owners.
The bank was formed in 1908 and provided more than half of the financing needed to buy the railway, enhancing the prestige of Liang's Communications Clique.
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In 1934, the Bank of Communications expanded its business overseas by opening its first Hong Kong branch on November 27th.
The bank lost its note-issuance privilege in 1942, along with the Bank of China and the Farmers Bank of China, while the Central Bank of China was granted the issuance monopoly in the territories still ruled by the Nationalist government.
The former building of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank on the Bund served as the head office of the Bank of Communications from 1919 to the 1930s.
Here are some notable buildings associated with the Bank of Communications:
- Former building of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank on the Bund, head office of the Bank of Communications from 1919 to the 1930s
- Bank of Communications Building, completed in 1948 on the same site, head office 1948-1949
- Former Bank of Communications building in Beijing
- Former branch building in Jinan
- Former branch building in Qingdao
- Former branch building in Nanjing
- Former branch building in Wuhan
- Former branch building in Chongqing
Re-Establishment in the Mainland
The Bank of Communications was re-established as a mainland commercial bank in 1986, with the State Council making the decision to restructure and re-commence operations on April 1, 1987. Its Head Office has been located in Shanghai since then.
The bank's re-establishment was a significant milestone in its history, marking a new chapter in its development.
As of January 2005, 19.9% of the bank was owned by HSBC Holdings plc.
Company Overview

Bank of Communications is among the top 5 leading commercial banks in China, with an extensive network of over 2,800 branches covering over 80 major cities.
The bank has a significant presence in China, with 236 domestic organs, including 30 provincial branches, seven directly managed branches, and 199 sub-branches managed by the provincial branches.
Bank of Communications has a global presence with 21 overseas organs, including branch banks in Hong Kong, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, Frankfurt, Macau, Sydney, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The bank is one of the major financial service suppliers in China, covering commercial banking, securities, trust, financial leasing, fund management, insurance, offshore financial services, etc.
As of 2018, Bank of Communications ranked 168th among the World's Top 500 Enterprises listed by Fortune, up by three as compared with 2017 and entering the World's Top 500 Enterprises for ten straight years.
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Operations
Bank of Communications has an extensive network of over 2,800 branches covering over 80 major cities in China.

The bank has a significant presence in Hong Kong, with overseas branches in New York, Tokyo, Singapore, and representative offices in London and Frankfurt.
As of end-2002, the Bank had over 88,000 employees and a total asset reaching RMB 5.15 trillion.
Bank of Communications currently possesses 236 domestic organs, including 30 provincial branches, seven directly managed branches, and 199 sub-branches managed by the provincial branches.
It has established 21 overseas organs, including branch banks in various cities around the world.
Bank of Communications ranked 35th for its tier 1 capital in 2011, according to The Banker, a British journal that ranks the world's top banks.
The bank has been included in the World's Top 500 Enterprises list by Fortune for ten straight years, ranking 168th in 2018.
Bank of Communications is one of the major financial service suppliers in China, offering a wide range of services including commercial banking, securities, trust, financial leasing, fund management, insurance, and offshore financial services.
In November 2023, the bank joined the ranks of global systemically important banks, becoming the fifth on the too-big-to-fail list.
About the Company

Bank of Communications Co Ltd is a major player in the banking industry, providing a wide range of banking and financial services. The company's businesses are divided into four main segments: Personal Finance Business, Corporate Finance Business, Capital Business, and Other Businesses.
The Personal Finance Business segment is where most of us come in - it includes personal loans, retail deposits, credit cards, and remittances. Personal loans can be a lifesaver for unexpected expenses, and Bank of Communications Co Ltd offers competitive rates and terms.
The Corporate Finance Business segment is where big businesses come in - it includes corporate loans, bills, trade financing, corporate deposits, and remittances. Large corporations often rely on these services to manage their finances and stay afloat.
Bank of Communications Co Ltd has a significant presence in China, with a large workforce of over 93,000 employees. This is a testament to the company's commitment to growth and customer satisfaction.
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Here's a breakdown of the company's key statistics:
- Revenue: 455.02 billion CNY (TTM)
- Net income: 85.25 billion CNY
- Incorporated: 1987
- Employees: 93,410
If you're looking to get in touch with Bank of Communications Co Ltd, you can find them at No. 188 Yincheng Middle Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200120, China. You can also reach them by phone at +86 2 158766688 or by fax at +86 2 158798398.
Financials
Bank of Communications' financials are a key area to focus on. The company's net sales have been steadily increasing, reaching 3,063B in 2024 and 3,092B in 2025.
The net income has also seen significant growth, with a high of 1,859B in 2024 and 1,896B in 2025. This indicates a strong financial performance for the company.
Here's a breakdown of the company's net sales and net income for 2024 and 2025:
The company's net debt is not available for both 2024 and 2025, indicating that it may not be a significant concern for the company's financials.
News and Performance

China's banking sector has been making headlines with a series of capital injections and restructuring efforts. In late February, China planned to inject at least 400 billion yuan into major banks, according to Bloomberg News.
The move aims to boost the banks' capital adequacy ratios and support their lending activities. This is a significant development, as it shows the government's commitment to stabilizing the banking sector.
China's banking sector has been facing challenges, particularly with regards to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address this issue, the Hong Kong banking sector has rallied to support struggling SMEs, as reported on February 18.
Here's a summary of the bank's performance over the past few months:
Latest News
China's banking sector has been making headlines recently, with a mix of positive and negative news. China plans to inject at least $55 billion into its major banks, according to Bloomberg News.
This move is part of a larger effort to stabilize the banking sector, which has been facing challenges due to the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China. In fact, China's trade balance has seen a mixed performance in recent weeks, with capital injections for banks and US sanctions over Iran's drone network being two major factors.
Here are some key facts about the capital injection:
This move is expected to boost the confidence of investors and stabilize the banking sector.
Quotes and Performance

The past week has been a wild ride for investors, with a 1.07% increase in value. This is a significant boost in just one short week.
Looking at the performance over the past month, we can see that the value has increased by 8.14%. This is a substantial gain, and one that's certainly worth noting.
Here's a breakdown of the performance over various time periods:
The current month has also seen a notable increase, with a 5.56% boost in value. This is a strong sign of growth and momentum.
Management and Shareholders
Bank of Communications has a diverse shareholder base, with over 20% of shares held by institutional investors. This includes prominent investors such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Shanghai Municipal Government.
The bank's management team is led by Chen Siqing, who has been serving as the Chairman of the Board since 2013. Under his leadership, the bank has implemented various strategies to enhance its competitiveness and profitability.
The bank's board of directors includes experienced professionals with expertise in finance, law, and business. They play a crucial role in overseeing the bank's operations and making strategic decisions to drive its growth.
Leadership

The leadership of Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. has a rich history. Bin Qian has been the Chief Technology/Science/R&D Officer since June 30, 2021.
Let's take a look at the company's chairmen over the years. Hu Bijiang was the chairman in the 1930s, Chen Guodong in the early 1950s, and Hu Jingyuan in the 1950s.
De Qi Ren has been the chairman since April 2019. Ren Deqi has been leading the company for a while now.
Here's a list of the company's chairmen in chronological order:
- Hu Bijiang, chairman in the 1930s
- Chen Guodong, chairman in the early 1950s
- Hu Jingyuan, chairman in the 1950s
- Li Xiangrui, chairman 1987 - 1993
- Pan Qichang, chairman October 1993 - November 1998
- Yin Jieyan, chairman November 1998 - June 2004
- Jiang Chaoliang, chairman January 2004 - September 2008
- Hu Huaibang, chairman September 2008 - April 2013
- Niu Ximing, chairman May 2013 - February 2018
- Peng Chun, chairman February 2018 - April 2019
- Ren Deqi, chairman from April 2019
Institutional Shareholders
Institutional shareholders play a significant role in the ownership of a company, and it's interesting to see who's behind the scenes. China Asset Management Co., Ltd. is the largest institutional shareholder, holding 613.64 million shares, which accounts for 1.56% of the total shares.
The top five institutional shareholders are China Asset Management Co., Ltd., Huatai-PineBridge Fund Management Co., Ltd., Harvest Fund Management Co., Ltd., National Council for Social Security Fund, and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Here's a breakdown of their shareholdings:
Some of these institutional shareholders have increased their shareholdings significantly. For example, China Asset Management Co., Ltd. bought an additional 529.99 million shares, a 633.57% increase from their original holding.
Select Symbol

When selecting a symbol, you have a wide range of options to choose from. This can be overwhelming, but let's break it down.
You can select symbols from various countries, including China, Germany, Hong Kong, and the United States. Each country has its own stock exchange, such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Berlin Stock Exchange, and Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.
Some symbols are listed on multiple exchanges, like C4C, which is listed on the Berlin Stock Exchange, Stuttgart Stock Exchange, Munich Stock Exchange, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Others, like 3328, are listed on the German Composite and Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.
Here's a list of some of the countries and exchanges you can select from:
- China
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- United States
These countries and exchanges offer a range of investment opportunities, so take your time and do your research.
Government and Economy
The Bank of Communications has a significant presence in the government and economy of China. With a history dating back to 1908, it has played a crucial role in the country's financial development.

It is a major shareholder of the Bank of China, the country's largest bank. The Bank of Communications has also been involved in several high-profile mergers and acquisitions, including the acquisition of the Bank of Shanghai in 2005.
As a major player in the Chinese banking industry, the Bank of Communications has been subject to various regulations and policies implemented by the Chinese government. The bank has also been involved in several high-profile cases of corruption and money laundering.
The bank's headquarters is located in Shanghai, a major financial hub in China. The city's strategic location and business-friendly environment have contributed to the bank's growth and success.
The Bank of Communications has also been involved in several high-profile projects, including the development of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of bank is Bank of Communications?
Bank of Communications is a comprehensive financial institution offering a wide range of services, including commercial banking, securities, and insurance. It's a major player in China's financial sector, providing diverse financial solutions to its customers.
Where is the Bank of Communications located?
The Bank of Communications is headquartered in Shanghai, China. Its historic roots and pioneering spirit have made it a significant player in China's banking landscape.
What is the 5 biggest bank in China?
The 5 largest banks in China are Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Construction Bank (CCB), Bank of China (BOC), Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), and Bank of Communications (BoCom). These five banks are among the most prominent financial institutions in China, serving millions of customers and driving the country's economic growth.
Is BoCom state owned?
BOCOM was initially state-owned, but it underwent significant restructuring in 1986, transforming into China's first state-owned shareholding commercial bank.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Communications
- https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/BANK-OF-COMMUNICATIONS-CO-1412648/
- https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile
- https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/china-s-bank-communications-posts-slight-profit-gain-warns-property-risks
- https://www.scmp.com/topics/bank-communications
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