General Information » Money » Banks

Beijing is stuffed full of banks, all battling for the custom of a growing middle class with rising incomes. Major domestic banks such as Bank of China (www.boc.cn), China Merchants Bank (www.cmbchina.com) and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) (www.icbc.com.cn) are easily accessible, with multiple branches located in all of the city’s districts. Foreigners can open up yuan or US dollar accounts at most branches (see p.74). All offer local debit cards, internet banking services and currency exchange services, although the latter is not always available at minor branches. It is practically impossible for foreigners to get credit services from domestic banks, but there are several branches of international banks such as HSBC or Citibank; see www.hsbc.com.cn or www.citibank.com for locations. Opening times vary but in general they are open from 09:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday, sometimes with an hour’s break from 12:30 to 13:30, and from 09:30 to 12:30 on Saturdays.