Regulations of the People's Republic of China Governing FinancialInstitutions with Foreign Capital
(Promulgated on February 25, 1994)
Whole document
Regulations of the People's Republic of China Governing Financial
Institutions with Foreign Capital
(Promulgated on February 25, 1994)
Chapter I General Principles
Article 1
These Regulations are formulated in order to meet the needs of opening
to the outside world and economic development, strengthen and improve the
management of financial institutions with foreign capital.
Article 2
Financial institutions with foreign capital mentioned in these
Regulations refer to the following financial institutions that are
established and operate in China upon approval in accordance with the
relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China:
(1) subsidiary banks incorporated by foreign capital whose head
offices are in China (hereinafter referred to as foreign banks);
(2) branches of foreign banks in China (hereinafter referred to as
foreign bank branches);
(3) banks incorporated jointly by foreign and Chinese equity
institutions (hereinafter referred to as equity joint-venture banks);
(4) finance companies incorporated by foreign capital whose head
offices are in China (hereinafter referred to as foreign finance
companies); and
(5) finance companies incorporated jointly by foreign and Chinese
financial institutions (hereinafter referred to as equity joint-venture
finance companies).
The State Council determines the locations that are open to financial
institutions with foreign capital.
Article 3
Financial institutions with foreign capital shall abide by the laws
and regulations of the People's Republic of China, and shall not engage in
activities that harm the social and public interests of the People's
Republic of China.
The legitimate business operation and lawful rights and interests of
the financial institutions with foreign capital shall be protected by the
laws of the People's Republic of China.
Article 4
The People's Bank of China is the sole regulatory authority
responsible for the regulation and supervision of the financial
institutions with foreign capital; the branches of the People's Bank of
China exercise routine regulation and supervision of the financial
institutions with foreign capital in their jurisdiction.
Chapter II Establishment and Registration
Article 5
The minimum registered capital for a foreign bank or an equity
joint-venture bank shall be in amount of a freely convertible currency
equivalent to RMB 300 million yuan; and that for a foreign finance company
or an equity joint-venture finance company shall be in amount of a freely
convertible currency equivalent to RMB 200 million yuan, of which, the
paid-up capital shall not be below 50 percent of the registered capital.
The head office of a foreign bank branch shall allocate a working
capital in a freely convertible currency equivalent to no less than RMB
100 million yuan to its branches without any repayment or recompense.
Article 6
The applicant for the establishment of a foreign bank or a foreign
finance company is subject to the following conditions:
(1) the applicant is a financial institution;
(2) the applicant has maintained a representative office in China for
two years or longer;
(3) the total assets of the applicant at the end of the year prior to
its application are not be below US $ 10 billion; and
(4) there is a sound system for financial regulation and supervision
in the home country or region of the applicant.
Article 7
To establish a foreign bank branch, the applicant is subject to the
following conditions:
(1) the applicant has maintained a representative institution in China
for two years or longer;
(2) the total assets of the applicant at the end of the year prior to
the application shall not be below US $ 20 billion; and
(3) there is a sound system for financial regulation and supervision
in the home country or region of the applicant.
Article 8
To establish an equity joint-venture bank or equity joint-venture
finance company, the applicant is subject to an the following conditions:
(1) each partner to the joint-venture is a financial institution;
(2) the foreign partner has a representative institution in China;
(3) the total assets of the foreign partner at the end of the year
prior to the application are not be below US $ 10 billion; and
(4) there is a sound system for financial regulation and supervision
in the home country or region of the applicant.
Article 9
The applicant for the establishment of a foreign bank or a foreign
finance company shall submit to the People's Bank of China a written
application together with the following documents:
(1) a letter of application specifying: the name of the foreign bank
or finance company to be set up, the registered capital and paid-up
capital, the intended business activities, etc.,
(2) a feasibility study;
(3) the articles of association of the intended foreign bank or
finance company;
(4) a photocopy of the business license issued by the relevant
regulatory authorities of the country or region in which the applicant is
incorporated;
(5) the annual reports of the applicant for the last three years; and
(6) other documents required by the People's Bank of China.
Article 10
To establish a foreign bank branch, the head office of the foreign
bank shall submit to the People's Bank of China a written application
together with the following documents:
(1) the application signed by the legal representative specifying: the
name of the branch to be set up by the foreign bank, the amount of working
capital free from repayment allocated by the parent company, the intended
business activities, etc.;
(2) a photocopy of the business license issued by the relevant
regulatory authorities of the country or region in which the applicant is
incorporated;
(3) the annual reports of the applicant for the last three years; and
(4) other documents required by the People's Bank of China.
Article 11
To establish an equity joint-venture bank or a finance company, the
partners to the equity joint-venture shall submit to the People's Bank of
China a jointly written application together with the following documents:
(1) the application for the establishment of an equity joint-venture
bank or a finance company specifying: the name of the intended equity
joint-venture bank or finance company to be set up, the names of all the
partners to the joint-venture, the amount of the registered capital and
paid-up capital, the proportion of the capital contributions of all
parties to the joint-venture, the intended business activities, etc.;
(2) a feasibility study;
(3) the contract for the equity joint-venture and the Articles of
Association of the joint venture bank or finance company to be set up;
(4) a photocopy of the business licenses issued by the relevant
regulatory authorities of the country or region in which the applicants
are incorporated;
(5) the annual reports of the applicants for the last three years; and
(6) other documents required by the People's Bank of China.
Article 12
Except the annual reports, all documents required in Article 9,
Article 10 and Article 11 hereof, if written in a foreign language, shall
have a Chinese translation attached.
Article 13
The applicant shall be given a formal application form when the
People's Bank of China approves the application for the establishment of a
financial institution with foreign capital after preliminary examination.
The application shall be considered rejected if the applicant fails to
receive the formal application form within 90 days from the date of
application.
Article 14
The applicant shall, within 60 days from the date of receiving the
formal application form, present to the People's Bank of China the
completed form and the following documents for ratification:
(1) a list of the key executives of the intended financial institution
with foreign capital and their resumes;
(2) a power of attorney granted to the key executive officer of the
intended financial institution with foreign capital;
(3) in case of applying for setting up a foreign bank branch, a letter
of guarantee from the head office specifying the responsibility for the
tax and debt obligations incurred by the foreign bank branch; and
(4) other documents required by the People's Bank of China.
Article 15
The financial institution with foreign capital shall, within 30 days
from the date of receiving the approval document of the People's Bank of
China, raise and transfer to China the required paid-up capital or working
capital, and then register with the industry and commerce administration
authorities in accordance with law after the transferred capital is
verified by a certified public accountant registered in China. It shall
also register with a taxation office, in accordance with law, within 30
days from the date when it enters into operation. Article 16
The financial institution with foreign capital shall apply to the
State Administration of Exchange Control for the issuance of the Foreign
Exchange Operation License within 30 days from the date of approval by the
People's Bank of China.
Chapter III Scope of Business
Article 17
Subject to approval by the People's Bank of China, a foreign bank, a
foreign bank branch or an equity joint-venture bank shall be allowed to
conduct some or all of the following business activities:
(1) foreign currency deposit-taking;
(2) foreign currency lending;
(3) foreign currency bill-discounting;
(4) approved foreign exchange investment;
(5) foreign exchange remittance;
(6) foreign exchange guarantee;
(7) import and export settlement;
(8) foreign currency dealing and brokerage;
(9) exchange of foreign currencies and bills denominated in foreign
currency;
(10) foreign currency credit card payment;
(11) custody and safe-deposit box service;
(12) credit verification and consultation; and
(13) approved business activities in domestic currency and other
foreign currencies.
Article 18
Subject to approval by the People's Bank of China, a foreign finance
company or an equity joint-venture finance company shall be allowed to
conduct some or all of the following business activities;
(1) foreign currency deposit of US $ 100,000 in minimum for each
deposit with a maturity of three months or longer;
(2) foreign currency lending;
(3) foreign currency bill-discounting;
(4) approved foreign exchange investment;
(5) foreign exchange guarantee;
(6) foreign currency dealing and brokerage;
(7) credit verification and consultation;
(8) foreign exchange trust business; and
(9) approved business activities in domestic currency and other
foreign currencies.
Article 19
The foreign currency deposit-taking specified in this chapter refers
to the following deposits denominated in foreign currencies:
(1) inter-bank deposits both in China and abroad;
(2) deposits taken from the non-bank clients located outside China;
(3) deposits taken from foreigners in China;
(4) deposits taken from overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong
Kong, Macao, and Taiwan;
(5) deposits taken from enterprises with foreign investment in China;
(6) re-deposits as occurred as a result of lending by financial
institutions with foreign capital to non-enterprises with foreign
investment; and
(7) other approved foreign exchange deposits.
Article 20
The foreign exchange remittance specified in this chapter refers to
the inward remittance from abroad and the outward remittance by
enterprises with foreign investment, foreigners, overseas Chinese and
compatriots form Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan on the mainland of China.
Article 21
The import and export settlement specified in this chapter refers to
such business as the import and export settlement of enterprises with
foreign investment, the export settlement of approved non-enterprises
with foreign investment, and the import settlement occurred as a result of
their lending conducted by foreign banks, foreign bank branches, and
equity joint-venture banks.
Chapter IV Supervision and Administration
Article 22
The deposit and lending rates as well as various types of fees charged
by a financial institution with foreign capital shall be determined by
itself in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations of the
People's Bank of China.
Article 23
To conduct deposit-taking business, a financial institution with
foreign capital is required to deposit reserves with a local branch of the
People's Bank of China. The reserve ratio shall be determined, and
adjusted when necessary, by the People's Bank of China. The deposit
reserves are free of interest.
Article 24
Thirty percent of the working capital of a foreign bank branch shall
be maintained in the form of interest-bearing assets designated by the
People's Bank of China, including the deposits held with the banks
designated by the People's Bank of China.
Article 25
The total assets of a foreign bank, an equity joint-venture bank, a
foreign finance company, or a equity joint-venture finance company shall
not exceed twenty times the sum of its paid-up capital plus reserves.
Article 26
The loans granted to an enterprise and its related enterprises by a
foreign bank, an equity joint-venture bank, a foreign finance company, or
an equity joint-venture finance company shall not exceed thirty percent of
the sum of its paid-up capital plus reserves, except those specially
approved by the People's Bank of China.
Article 27
The gross investment of a foreign bank, an equity joint-venture bank,
a foreign finance company, or an equity joint-venture finance company
shall not exceed thirty percent of the sum of its paid-up capital plus
reserves, with the exception of that made to a financial institution and
approved by the People's Bank of China.
Article 28
The fixed assets maintained by a foreign bank, an equity joint-venture
bank, a foreign finance company, or an equity joint-venture finance
company shall not exceed forty percent of the sum of its paid-up capital
plus reserves.
Article 29
A financial institution with foreign capital shall ensure the
liquidity of its assets. The specific requirements to financial
institutions with foreign capital on their assets, liquidity shall be made
separately by the People's Bank of China.
Article 30
Deposits taken from within the territory of the People's Republic of
China by a financial institution with foreign capital shall not exceed
forty percent of its total assets.
Article 31
A financial institution with foreign capital shall make provisions
fund for non-performing (bad) assets in accordance with the relevant
procedures as stipulated by the State.
Article 32
A foreign bank, an equity joint-venture bank, a foreign finance
company, or an equity joint-venture finance company whose paid-up capital
is below the level of its registered capital, shall supplement the paid-up
capital by transferring twenty-five percent of its post-tax profit each
year until the sum of the paid-up capital plus reserves equals to the
registered capital.
Article 33
A financial institution with foreign capital shall employ at least one
Chinese citizen as its senior executive.
Article 34
A financial institution with foreign capital shall employ certified
public accountants registered in China. Such employment shall be subject
to the confirmation by the relevant local branch of the People's Bank of
China.
Article 35
A financial institution with foreign capital shall gain approval from
the People's Bank of China and conduct the related registration with an
industry and commerce administration department in accordance with the law
in any of the following cases:
(1) establishment of an affiliate;
(2) adjustment or transfer of registered capital, increase or decrease
of working capital;
(3) change of the institution's name or business address; and
(4) replacement of senior executives.
Article 36
A financial institution with foreign capital shall submit to the
People's Bank of China and its related branches financial statements and
other relevant data.
Article 37
The People's Bank of China and its branches have the right to examine
and audit the operational management and financial situation of a
financial institution with foreign capital.
Chapter V Dissolution and Liquidation
Article 38
In case of a self-termination of its business activities, a financial
institution with foreign capital shall submit a written application to the
People's Bank of China 30 days before the termination, and will be
dissolved and liquidated after the Bank's examination and approval.
Article 39
The People's Bank of China may order a financial institution with
foreign capital which is unable to meet its liabilities to cease operation
and make repayment within a limited period of time. If it has recovered
redeemability and wants to resume business within the time limit, it shall
apply to the People's Bank of China for resuming business; if it fails to
recover redeemability beyond the time limit, it shall enter into
liquidation.
Article 40
In case of the termination of a financial institution with foreign
capital due to dissolution, cancellation under the law or because of the
declaration of bankruptcy, matters concerning its liquidation shall be
handled under the stipulations of relevant Chinese laws and regulations.
Article 41
Upon the completion of liquidation, a financial institution with
foreign capital shall reregister itself at the original registration
agency within the legal time limit.
Chapter VI Penalties
Article 42
In case of a financial institution with foreign capital established in
violation of the stipulations of Chapter II hereof and without approval,
the People's Bank of China shall outlaw it, confiscate its illegal gains
and may, together, fine an amount of foreign exchange equivalent to RMB
50,000-100,000 yuan.
Article 43
In case of a financial institution with foreign capital conduction the
business activities beyond its approved business scope and in violation of
the stipulations of Chapter III hereof, the People's Bank of China or its
relevant branch institutions shall order it to cease those business
activities which are beyond its approved business scope and confiscate its
illegal receipts from the non-approved business activities, and a penalty
of an amount of foreign currency equivalent to RMB 10,000-50,000 yuan
shall also be imposed.
Article 44
In case of a financial institution with foreign capital conducting the
business activities in violation of the relevant stipulations of Chapter
IV hereof, the People's Bank of China or its relevant branches are
entitled to order it to rectify, readjust its business or supplement
sufficient funds accordingly, and a penalty of an amount of foreign
currency equivalent to RMB 5,000-30,000 yuan shall also be imposed.
Article 45
In case of a failure of a financial institution with foreign capital
to render financial statements and related data in violation of the
relevant stipulations of Chapter IV hereof, the People's Bank of China or
its relevant branches shall serve a warning, circulate a notice, and
demand the submission of them within a time limit, and a penalty of an
amount of foreign currency equivalent to RMB 3,000-20,000 yuan shall also
be imposed.
Article 46
In case of a failure to comply with these regulations, a financial
institution with foreign capital shall not only be penalized under the
relevant stipulations of Article 43, Article 44 and Article 45 of this
Chapter, but it may also be ordered to cease operation, and even have its
business license suspended by the People's Bank of China where serious
offenses are committed.
Article 47
In case of breach of other laws and regulations of the People's
Republic of China, a financial institution with foreign capital shall be
penalized by the relevant authorities according to law.
Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions
Article 48
These Regulations are also applicable to the financial institutions
established and operated on the mainland of China by financial
institutions from such regions as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
Article 49
The regulatory procedures for representative offices established in
China by financial institutions with foreign capital are to be formulated
separately by the people's Bank of China.
Article 50
The People's Bank of China shall be responsible for the interpretation
of these Regulations and for the formulation of the detailed rules for the
implementation of these Regulations.
Article 51
These Regulations are effective as of 1 April 1994. The Regulations
Governing Foreign Banks and Sino-Foreign Equity Joint-Venture Banks in the
Special Economic Zones of the People's Republic of China promulgated by
the State Council on 2 April 1995 and the Procedure Regulating Financial
Institutions with Foreign Capital and Sino-Foreign Equity Joint-Venture
Financial Institutions in Shanghai ratified by the State Council on 7
September 1990 and issued by the People's Bank of China on 8 September
1990 are to be abolished simultaneously.