Established in 1912, Bank of China is the Bank with the longest continuous operation among Chinese banks. From 1912 to 1949, the Bank served consecutively as the country’s central bank, international exchange bank and specialised international trade bank. After 1949, 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. During China’s reform and opening up period, the Bank 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 2004, Bank of China Limited was incorporated. The Bank was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 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 2017, Bank of China was again designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank, thus becoming the sole financial institution from an emerging economy to be designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank for seven consecutive years. Having served the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the Bank became the official banking partner of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2017, thus making it the only bank in China serving two Olympic Games. As China’s most globalised and integrated bank, Bank of China has set up institutions in the Chinese mainland as well as 54 countries and regions. It has established an integrated service platform based on its commercial banking business, which covers investment banking, direct investment, securities, insurance, funds, aircraft leasing and other areas. BOCHK and the Macau Branch serve as local note-issuing banks in their respective markets.
In face of the period of historic opportunities for great achievements, the Bank will follow Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, persistently enable advancement through technology, drive development through innovation, deliver performance through transformation and enhance strength through reform, in an effort to build BOC into a world-class bank in the new era.