Imperial Bank of China

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The Imperial Bank of China was the first Chinese-owned bank modelled on Western banks and banking practices. It was founded in Shanghai in 1897 successfully operating until 1913 when it was renamed to the Commercial Bank of China. The "rebranding" was for political reasons following the overthrow of the last emperor Pu Yi by the Nationalists in 1911.

The manager, Andrew Maitland, was hired out of retirement from the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Ambitions for this bank were high, and it was proposed that it take over banknote issues throughout China. Although an office was opened in Beijing (then Peking) the Imperial Bank of China never received the full support of central government and it became marginalised.