Foreign-Funded Banks Approved to Handle Renminbi Business

Four Foreign-funded Banks took the lead to receive approval in China to handle Renminbi business lor Chinese enterprises. China’s banking industry has made a significant step in opening up to the outside world.The four banks were Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Japan’s Mi/uho Bank Shanghai Branch, U.S. Citibank Shanghai Branch and Hong Kong-hased Bank of East Asia Shanghai Branch.On February 13, a Chief from the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) said, the CBRC announced on December 1, 2003 that in the light of a commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO), overseas banks could lend Chinese Yuan to Chinese companies after receiving approval. This provided new opportunities for overseas banks to de-