ICBC Beijing Branch announced its RMB savings deposit balance reaching to a tune of 500 billion at a press release held on March 22. This is the first financial subsidiary to achieve such breakthrough. It reinforces ICBC Beijing as the "First Retail Bank in the Capital" and establishes its household name of "A Bank Around You" for the folks.
"First Retail Rank in the Capital" is a long-time strategic play, as related by ICBC Beijing Branch. Hence, it is natural that the Branch focuses on savings deposit which is an important element in retail banking offering. Annual growth of the business is phenomenal for the past few years. Thanks to the loyalty of the customers and recognition from all on the Branch's quality services over the years, the Branch holds on to the top spot in the Beijing market.
ICBC Beijing Branch revealed the years of tenuous efforts spent behind to improve the services before achieving such stellar performance. In recent years, the Branch has embarked key strategic campaigns to improve the services: "Year of No More Queuing 2006", "Premium Service Year 2007" "Olympic Service Year 2008", "Service Improvement Year 2009".
Underpinning the service principle of "Customer Focused", the Branch has sharpened its edge to compete and increased its customer base by channel set-up, outlet services, product innovation, optimized process and management reform. As of today, the Branch secures more than 16 million individual customers, accounting for over 85% of the Beijing population.
ICBC Beijing Branch deserves to be the "First Retail Bank in the Capital".
ICBC Beijing Branch is re-orientating towards a modern commercial bank through recent years of continual efforts in improving services. According to the Branch, service improvement is considered as a system engineering, and channel set-up is the key. In light of this, the Branch cascades effectively between physical outlets and virtual banking to build a complementary service network with optimal outlet distribution and functions.
In 2009 alone, the Branch has set up, dismantled and merged or upgraded nearly 150 outlets. The Branch remains the No.1 bank in Beijing by having 558 outlets opening to public (including self-service banking). The ubiquitous ICBC outlets are serving the banking needs of the urban folks in Beijing everyday.
Meanwhile, ICBC Beijing's electronic channels prove its worth. The branch set up nearly 20 self-service banking outlets in 2009 and over 330 self-service devices. This boosts the number of self-service teller devices to 2340+ in the Branch, where 80% are operated 24 hours a day. ICBC Beijing Branch also augments its line of business to electronic banking by securing almost 5 million of personal internet banking customers up to the end of last year.
Beijing folks are delighted to use this fast and convenient financial services right at home. It also symbolizes ICBC's service commitment of "A Bank around You".
ICBC Beijing Branch, the largest financial subsidiary in the capital, remains committed to deliver diversified, multi-level financial services to all. To meet the needs of different customers, the Branch has created a hierarchical service scheme according to the outlet type, customer class, functional areas and service diversification.
The hierarchical scheme not only addresses the issues of customers' everyday banking without the hassle of queuing at the Counter, but also boosts a range of personal financial services tailored to the fat-walleted consumers. As of today, the Branch has 260+ outlets that can offer VIP services, representing over 50% of the total outlets of the Branch.
The growing presence of VIP centers is a reflection of the Branch's capability in delivering high-level financial services.
ICBC Beijing Branch also embraces technology in order to stay relevant. Apart from the core products favored by all like Elite Club Account, Remittance Express, Happy Loan, Peony Money Link Card, the Branch also launches new innovative products to fill the market gap amid a changing landscape. Just in 2009, ICBC Beijing has issued 23 batches of personal investment products, 5 lots of private banking products and new personal credit products such as "One Loan Link", "Loan of Same Name", "Housing Mortgage Loan" and Mobile Banking (WAP).
Besides addressing the diversified and individual needs of the customers, all the sustain and continual efforts significantly boost the competitive edge of the Branch.
Behind the RMB 500 billion of savings deposit in the Branch is a team of well-trained customer managers. By the year-end 2009, ICBC Beijing has nearly a thousand of customer managers certified with AFP or CFP qualification. They are the team of the Branch to offer high level of quality services who are well-equipped to offer different financial services in investment, insurance, home financial diagnosis, pension and social security.
Anytime they can give advice and suggestion to customers on wealth accumulation and asset allocation. Apart from all these, the presence of this team of ICBC financial planners also drives up the standard of daily front-line services.
ICBC Beijing Branch stresses that 2010 is the "Service Value Year", a year in continuation of the service improvement plans in previous years to revamp the ICBC services and increase ICBC capability in creating value for the customers. The Branch is seizing this opportunity of securing RMB 500 billion of savings deposit to start a new campaign. By executing the strategy, the goal is to turn the branch into a bank with the highest customer satisfaction level and brand meritocracy and let all the customers enjoy the progress of ICBC Beijing.
