Xiamen International Bank Marks Four Decades Of Growth, Global Connections

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Xiamen International Bank has operated from the Xiamen Special Economic Zone since 1985, expanding nationwide and establishing global connections while participating in China’s financial opening-up.

In its early years, the bank supported the Special Economic Zone’s development and helped attract international capital, serving as the issuing agent for the first phase of bonds for the Xiamen Bridge. The issuance introduced a new financing model in China, combining state investment with locally issued bonds.

According to Xiamen International Bank in a statement, the bonds were subscribed by residents and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao, providing critical funding for cross-island development.

The bank also introduced Hong Kong and Macao banking expertise in mortgage lending, becoming one of China’s first to offer housing loans. Additionally, it opened a remittance channel via the United States, enabling telegraphic transfers from Taiwan to be credited within two days before direct cross-strait clearing was available.

Following a strategy of connecting domestic and international markets, focusing on Fujian, and extending services nationwide, Xiamen International Bank opened its first mainland branch in Fuzhou in 1992 and subsequently expanded across all prefecture-level cities in the province.

As of June this year, the bank and its affiliate, Chiyu Banking, operate more than 50 branches in Fujian with over 3,000 employees, contributing more than 14 billion Chinese yuan in tax revenue over the past decade. (100 Chinese yuan = RM58.43)

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In recent years, the bank has leveraged its overseas Chinese heritage to expand services for overseas Chinese communities and strengthen cross-border financial operations.

As of September 2025, its overseas Chinese financial business reached nearly 230 billion Chinese yuan, and it has assisted over 120 Chinese non-financial enterprises in issuing offshore bonds. Its international business now accounts for more than one-third of total operations.

-- BERNAMA