Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

Office address: 2 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Website: nz.icbc.com.cn
Year established: 2013
Company type: banking
Employees: 70+ (2018)
Expertise: trade finance, corporate banking, personal banking, cross-border payments, real estate finance, agriculture finance, home loans, international remittance, foreign exchange services, investment banking
Parent company: ICBC
Key people: Bin Liu (CEO); Seamus Xiong, James Gill and Ying Luo (directors); Kevin Xu (deputy head); Ethan Da and Steven Ma (senior BDMs)
Financing status: corporate backed or acquired

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited is a registered bank in Auckland, operating since 2013. The bank offers a wide range of services, including trade finance, cross-border payments and bilingual support for China-New Zealand business. ICBC New Zealand is known for its strong capital position, with assets over $2.6 billion and a focus on connecting Chinese and Kiwi markets.

For the rest of this profile, ‘Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’ will refer to the New Zealand entity unless the parent company is named directly.

History of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited opened its doors in 2013 after gaining approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. It was the first Chinese bank to receive a local licence, making history in the country’s financial sector. This move brought a new level of banking connection between New Zealand and China.

A global foundation

The story of its parent, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, dates back to 1984. In 2005, the bank shifted to a joint-stock structure, and a year later, it listed on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

The bank serves millions of customers across the globe and was one of the top 10 biggest mortgage lenders in the world by market capitalisation in 2024. Today, it is also known for its strong customer base and broad range of services.

Growth in New Zealand

The New Zealand branch received an additional licence in 2020 which allowed it to operate both as a subsidiary and a branch. This structure means the bank can offer more products, including trade finance, remittance and mortgage loans. Its office sits in Auckland’s CBD, right in the middle of the city’s business activity.

Linking two nations

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in New Zealand aims to connect local clients with opportunities in China. The bank provides services in both English and Chinese and is committed to supporting growth in the local market. Its focus is on helping customers succeed while building strong ties between New Zealand and China.

ICBC products and services

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in New Zealand offers a variety of home loan solutions to suit different needs. Here are its main home loan offerings:

Home loan products

  • residential mortgage loans
  • owner-occupied home loans
  • investment property loans
  • floating rate home loans
  • fixed rate home loans
  • bridging loans
  • foreign currency mortgage options (RMB/NZD)
  • loan pre-approval services
  • mortgage refinancing
  • flexible repayment options

Home loan related services

  • bilingual mortgage support (Chinese and English)
  • mortgage calculators and online tools
  • personalised loan consultation
  • cross-border mortgage solutions for new migrants and investors
  • fast-track application process
  • property valuation assistance
  • competitive interest rates
  • ongoing customer support

These offerings by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China give buyers and investors a range of practical choices for property finance. The bank’s Auckland branch provides local service and flexible options to support customers at every stage.

Company culture and values

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in New Zealand places a strong focus on building connections between cultures and economies. The bank supports sustainable growth, responsible banking, and aims to act as a bridge for finance and trade between New Zealand and China.

Customer service is available in both English and Chinese which reflects the bank’s commitment to accessibility. ICBC New Zealand also integrates social responsibility into its strategy, supporting green finance, rural revitalisation and inclusive financial services.

About CEO Bin Liu and key people

Bin Liu is the CEO and executive director of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in New Zealand, starting in 2024. Before this, he was deputy general manager for six years and worked at ICBC in Beijing for 13 years. He holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in international trade from the University of International Business and Economics.

The leadership team at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in New Zealand brings a mix of local and international expertise:

  • Seamus (Bin) Xiong serves as director and brings hands-on experience across retail, SME and property finance
  • James Gill, CFA, acts as director, was previously associate director at Westpac Institutional Bank
  • Ying (Irene) Luo is director - asset finance and corporate finance and has over 11 years with the company
  • Kevin Xu is deputy head of corporate and institutional banking, and has nine years of ICBC experience
  • Ethan Da, as senior business development manager, focuses on growing business relationships
  • Steven Ma is senior business development manager and supports clients with tailored banking solutions

This team is dedicated to building a strong, modern financial institution in New Zealand. Their combined skills help drive ICBC NZ’s innovation and support a diverse customer base.

The future at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

In 2025, ICBC New Zealand launched a Smart Verification Feature for its e-banking users. This upgrade lets customers choose how they verify payments, such as with passwords, fingerprints or SMS codes. The bank aims to keep clients secure and ready for the future by making online banking safer and easier.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China stood out at the 2025 New Zealand Infrastructure Investment Summit as one of the few Chinese banks present. CEO Bin Liu spoke about how Chinese banks like ICBC can support New Zealand’s push for better infrastructure and clean energy. By taking part in these discussions, the bank is helping shape future investment and giving clients more ways to grow as the local rules change.

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