BOC's overseas lending outgrows domestic loans

Bank to up foreign branches' profit contribution from 30% to 40%

Bank of China Ltd's overseas corporate loan growth surpassed domestic corporate loan growth in 2016 for the first time, signaling a new stage of internationalization, according to senior executives of the bank.

Huang Danggui, general manager of BOC's corporate banking department, said at a media briefing on Tuesday that overseas corporate loan growth benefited from a solid branch layout and a sound client base in 51 countries and regions. A growing number of Chinese companies went global with mergers and acquisitions, bringing a large amount of business opportunities for the bank. At the same time, the bank also expanded its local business in other economies.