Internet giant Tencent has launched China’s first online-only private bank in a ceremony attended by the country’s premier, Li Keqiang.
WeBank, named after Tencent’s hugely popular WeChat messaging service, is opening its virtual doors after the Chinese financial service regulator granted Tencent a license last year.
In total,licenses were granted, including to Tencent rival Alibaba, as China seeks to provide competition for state-owned banks and to make it easier for small businesses to get loans.
At a ceremony to mark WeBank’s launch, Premier Li Keqiang pushed a button to make the company’s first loan – around $5600 to a truck driver.
Says Li: “We will lower costs for and deliver practical benefits to small clients, while forcing traditional financial institutions to accelerate reforms. It’s one small step for WeBank, one giant step for financial reform.”
(FInextra)
