HISTORY & HERITAGE

BOC has a history of excellence dating back more than 100 years, with a unique story of integration into the global economy that matches China’s own.

Bank of China History

Bank of China (BOC) was formally established in February 1912. Until 1949, BOC served as the country’s central bank, international exchange bank and specialized international trade bank, helping to develop China’s financial services sector and good standing in the international financial community.

After 1949, drawing on its long history as the state-designated specialized foreign exchange and trade bank, BOC became responsible for managing China’s foreign exchange operations and provided vital support to the nation’s foreign trade development and economic infrastructure. In 1994, BOC was transformed into a wholly state-owned commercial bank, incorporated in August 2004 as Bank of China Limited.

BOC was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June 2006, and on the Shanghai Stock Exchange the following month, 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.

Having served as the sole banking partner for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the bank in 2017 became the official banking partner of both the 2022 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter games in Beijing.

In 2019, BOC was again designated as a Global Systemically Important Bank, becoming the only financial institution from an emerging economy to receive the designation for nine consecutive years.

BOC’s longstanding history as a leading international bank, with a diversified product and service offering, has enabled it to grow into one of the largest banks in the world, serving our client’s needs the world over.

Key Milestones

Since our founding more than 100 years ago, BOC has grown into a truly global bank with a history that follows China’s continued integration with the global economy.

Corporate Profile

Founding of Bank of China:

1912

BOC began operations as China’s central bank

Expanded Overseas:

1929

Established BOC’s London agency, the bank’s first overseas branch

Established in the U.S.:

1981

Opened the BOC New York branch, becoming the first Chinese bank to establish operations in the U.S.

Successful IPO in Hong Kong and Mainland China:

2006

Became the first Chinese commercial bank to launch an A-Share and H-Share initial public offering and achieve a dual listing in both markets

2008 Olympic Partner:

2008

Designated sole, official banking partner of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

America’s First RMB Clearing Bank:

2016

BOC New York branch designated as the first RMB clearing bank in the U.S.

2022 Olympic Partner:

2020

Announced as the first official partner of the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games