On the evening of December 2 (London time), the UK magazine The Banker announced the winners of Bank of the Year Awards 2015. ICBC was awarded the “Best Bank in China” for the third consecutive year for its steady development and persistent efforts in reform and innovation, which was also the 11th time ICBC won this honor over the last 16 years since the birth of this award. In addition, ICBC Macau was recognized the “Best Bank in Macau” for the seventh consecutive year.

The UK magazine pointed out in its award comment that ICBC remained one of the most competitive commercial banks worldwide in 2015. In term of capital strength, it topped the ranking of “Top 1000 World Banks” in terms of tier one capital for three consecutive years. Regarding business performance, ICBC has managed to outperform even though most Chinese-funded banks suffered decrease in net interest margin due to interest cuts and other factors. In business transformation, ICBC has boosted the growth of intermediate businesses such as investment banking and consulting business, while expanding business overseas and diversifying sources of revenue. Meanwhile, it has accelerated adjusting the credit structure, established institutions specialized in serving small and micro-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the independent financing business management system for SMEs, providing SMEs with more credit support by launching more innovative and market-oriented products and services.

The “Bank of the Year” award by The Banker is one of the most renowned and influential campaigns in the banking sector worldwide, which attracts tremendous attention of the international financial circle. Since 2000, the magazine has selected “Best Banks” on the global, continental and national levels annually, with only one winner at each level. So far, ICBC has been awarded the “Best Bank in the World” once, the “Best Bank in Asia Pacific” twice, and the “Best Bank in China for eleven times”. Winning the awards for 14 times, it ranks the first among its peers across the world, and also is the only commercial bank in Asia ever granted the “Best Bank in the World” to date.