Banker S.A. March 2013 | Page 45

MEMBER BANKS Introducing Banking Association Member Bank of China Branch, as the first bank from mainland China in South Africa, has consistently dedicated itself to enhancing the influence of BOC in Africa. Based in South Africa with business expansion Q&A to more than 20 African countries, BOCJHB has witnessed and Name of bank: Bank of China Limited Johannesburg Branch participated into the rapid development of the economic and (BOCJHB) trade exchanges between China and South Africa, as well as Owner: BOCJHB is a branch of Bank of China Limited China and other African countries. It is continuously providing Core business: Bank of China mainly operates the commercial financial services of high quality and efficiency to clients, and banking business including corporate banking, personal banking also making significant contribution to the South African local and financial market business. It also conducts businesses such as social and economic development. investment banking, insurance services, fund management services, Any newsworthy changes in the bank’s structure or business in direct investment and investment management, and aircraft leasing the near future: BOCJHB was authorised by Bank of China to act as via its subsidiary, subordinate and associate companies. regional headquarter in sub-Saharan Africa, In South Africa, Bank of China Johanwhich covers the Bank’s existing affiliated nesburg Branch can provide business institutions in South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, services in all categories which comAngola, Ghana and Uganda. Other institutions mercial banks offer, including corporate in countries such as Nigeria, Cameron and banking, personal banking and financial Mauritius. BOC Durban Branch will come into market services. operation in the near future. Target market: With commercial bankIs there a key product or initiative you wish ing business as the core and foundato highlight? Due to the continuous economic tion of Bank of China’s development, growth of China, the huge scale of internathe client base of BOCJHB consists of tional trade and the relative stability of Rencustomers from industries such as minminbi* (RMB, the official currency of People’s ing, financial institutions, importing Republic of China) value, RMB is increasingand exporting, media, manufacturing, ly accepted across the world, offering a new property development, infrastructure, choice for national governments and enterenergy, and so forth. Through providing prises in risk mitigation. Bank of China seizes financial and credit services with good the historic opportunity to vigorously promote competitiveness to clients from local its cross-border RMB business and ranked first enterprises, Chinese “going global” in the market in terms of cross-border RMB enterprises, financial institutions and settlement volume and number of accounts overseas Chinese people, Johannesburg opened. Branch has been playing a vigorous and Bank of China Johannesburg Branch is proactive role in the economic developthe leader in providing RMB services in ment and financial exchanges between Zhikun Qiu, CEO, Bank of China South Africa and other African countries. China and African countries. RMB services consist of all financial products and services of a Core values or differentiators: Established in 1912, Bank of commercial bank. China has upheld the spirit of “pursuing excellence” throughout International links: As the most internationalised and diversified its century-long history. By enhancing the values of integrity, bank in China, Bank of China provides full range of financial serperformance, responsibility, innovation and harmony, the Bank has vices in China’s mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and other 36 built up an excellent brand image which is widely recognised within countries. The Bank leverages its overall advantages to improve its the industry and by its customers. global service capabilities for