Predatory banks and insurance companies targeted

Several ministry-level departments, including those responsible for banking and insurance, and education, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

Banks and insurers told to rectify improper business

The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued a notice on Thursday asking local banking and insurance authorities, banks and insurance companies to rectify businesses that violate consumers' interests.

Such violations include false or misleading advertisements using inaccurate figures, exaggerating the performance of products or suggesting they are guaranteed against loss.

Credit card business targeting low-income groups is another target of the notice.

The campaign will conclude in December. Banks and insurance companies should carry out self inspections, fix problematic behavior, and report to local banking and insurance authorities no later than Nov 30. They should stop problematic businesses when they are detected and report illegal cases to judicial authorities.

The banking and insurance authorities will conduct spot checks and seriously punish firms that fail to detect existing problems or attempt to cover them up, according to the notice.