China's big four state-owned banks, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, posted interim revenue and profit growth of 9%-11% and 3%-5% year on year, respectively.
We believe the average BOC customer is wealthier than a customer at Big Four peers, as total assets managed by BOC’s private bank accounted for roughly 20% of the bank’s retail AUM.
Bears
BOC's net interest margin faces downward pressures with the US Fed's interest rate cuts.
Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Beijing, Bank of China, or BOC, has evolved through multiple institutional mandates—from central bank to foreign exchange specialist to state-owned trade finance bank—before establishing its current universal banking model. The group was dual-listed on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges in 2006. It provides a comprehensive range of financial services to customers across Greater China and overseas. Central Huijin, a Chinese state-owned investment company and BOC's largest shareholder, controls 64%. BOC has the most extensive global reach among Chinese banks, with operations in 64 countries and regions.