Top Banks in China
China's banking sector is dominated by state-owned giants, which collectively hold the majority of the country's financial assets. As of mid-2025 (based on end-2024 data from sources like S&P Global and The Banker), the top banks are ranked primarily by total assets. These institutions play a critical role in supporting China's economy, with a focus on corporate lending, infrastructure financing, and international trade. Below is a list of the top five, which consistently occupy the top spots globally as well.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC)
https://www.icbc.com.cn
https://www.icbc-ltd.com
World's largest bank by assets;
offers comprehensive retail, corporate, and investment banking services.
Strong in digital innovation and global operations.
China Construction Bank (CCB)
https://www.ccb.com
Focuses on infrastructure and real estate financing; extensive international presence with branches in over 30 countries.
Agricultural Bank of China (ABC)
https://www.abchina.com
Specializes in rural and agricultural lending but has expanded into urban retail and corporate services; vast domestic network of over 22,000 branches.
Bank of China (BOC)
https://www.boc.cn
Leads in foreign exchange and cross-border trade finance; oldest bank in China, with a strong emphasis on international business.
Bank of Communications (BoCom)
https://www.bankcomm.com
Joint-stock bank with state ownership; known for corporate banking and wealth management; growing in fintech and overseas expansion.
Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC)
https://www.psbc.com
Largest postal bank globally; excels in rural and retail services with over 40,000 outlets; strong digital platform for personal finance.
China Merchants Bank (CMB)
https://english.cmbchina.com
Leading joint-stock bank; renowned for innovative wealth management and SME lending; aggressive in fintech and international expansion.
China CITIC Bank
https://www.citicbank.com
Part of CITIC Group; specializes in trade finance and corporate banking; growing presence in Belt and Road Initiative projects.
China Minsheng Bank
https://www.cmbc.com.cn
First private bank in China; focuses on mid-sized enterprises and retail; known for flexible lending and green finance initiatives.
These rankings reflect data from S&P Global's 2025 report on global banks and The Banker's 2025 Top 100 Chinese Banks analysis, where ICBC, CCB, and ABC also lead in Tier 1 capital (ICBC at $541 billion, CCB at $455 billion, ABC at $422 billion). Note that exact figures can vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations and reporting standards (e.g., IFRS vs. GAAP). For the latest updates, check official regulatory filings from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC).
Big Four State-Owned Commercial Banks
These are the largest and most influential banks in China:
Other Major Commercial Banks
These banks also play significant roles in China's financial system:
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
https://eng.spdb.com.cn
China Everbright Bank
https://www.cebbank.com
Ping An Bank
https://bank.pingan.com
Huaxia Bank
https://www.hxb.com.cn
China Guangfa Bank
https://www.cgbchina.com.cn
ZheShang Bank Co., Ltd.
https://www.czbank.com
China Bohai Bank
https://www.cbhb.com.cn
Banks in China
Insurance China