Banks to issue preferred shares this year

The first batch of Chinese commercial banks may issue preferred shares this year, and investors will ask for a higher dividend rate while putting up with more uncertainties, experts said.

Preferred shares pay fixed dividends and enjoy priority over common stock in the event of bankruptcy. They typically do not trade on the open market, carry no voting rights and do not dilute net profits attributable to shareholders.

"The pace of Agricultural Bank of China and Bank of China is faster, and they probably will issue preferred shares this year," said an insider at one of the four major State-owned commercial banks.