It specialized in savings, warehouses, trusts and real estate business.
It was founded in Tianjin in 1919 by Feng Guozhang, the acting president of Republic of China and Tan Lisun, the former Nanjing director of Bank of China.
Half a month later, a Beijing branch was also established.
In 1979, the newly re-established Bank of China was headquartered in the former Continental Bank building, before moving in 2001 to a new building on Fuxingmen Inner Street designed by I. M. Pei.
In 2021, the former Continental Bank building was converted into a museum.