It was originally established in 1908 and was one of a handful of domestic Chinese banks that issued banknotes in modern history.

11 among the global top 1,000 banks in terms of Tier 1 capital rated by the London-based magazine The Banker.

[11][12] In order to expand the business overseas, the Bank opened its first Hong Kong branch on 27 November 1934.

The plan was part of HSBC's broader China expansion strategy, but "there is nothing further to disclose at the present."

The South China Morning Post cited Peter Wong Tung-shun, executive director at The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, as saying that the acquisition is being considered in the light of the Chinese government's reforms of the country's securities brokerages.

The bond is registered on the Hong Kong stock exchange and pays a coupon of 5 percent a year.

Apart from Hong Kong, the Bank has also established overseas branches in New York, Tokyo, Singapore and representative offices in London and Frankfurt.

In addition, it has established 21 overseas organs including branch banks in Hong Kong, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, Frankfurt, Macau, Sydney, and Ho Chi Minh City, BOCOMUK in London, and a representative office in Taipei.

Global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) are required to hold between 1% and 3.5% additional capital, depending on their rating.