China's Banking Industry Expects Growth

Despite profound changes in the global economy, China's banking industry expects steady growth during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), a senior banker said Saturday.

China's steady and relatively fast economic growth is expected to lay a solid basis for the development of the commercial banks' main businesses, said Hu Huaibang, chairman of Bank of Communications, the fifth-largest lender.

Meanwhile, the transformation of China's economic growth pattern would provide an impetus to the adjustment and optimization of the lenders' businesses, Hu said.

Hu predicted businesses, such as consumer credit, asset management and credit cards, would enter a golden era over the next few years, along with the economy's shift to a domestic consumption-driven model from the current export-oriented growth pattern.

Also, increases in personal wealth and growing numbers in the middle class would bring huge potential customers and development opportunities to the lenders, Hu said.

Further, he urged Chinese banks to improve their services and launch new products to meet diversified demands.