Against the backdrop of intensifying competition in the banking sector, regional banks are focusing on scaling up and strengthening their capital bases. As a key player among city commercial banks in the Yangtze River Delta region, Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. is accelerating its push toward a 3 trillion yuan asset milestone. The sustained stake increases by foreign shareholders and the execution of multiple capital initiatives have injected strong momentum into this sprint, while a two-decade-long strategic partnership has further clarified its development path.
In September 2025, Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, CEO of BNP Paribas, led a delegation to Nanjing, drawing industry attention. During the visit, BNP Paribas not only signed a new strategic cooperation memorandum with Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. but also received high-level recognition from both Jiangsu Province and Nanjing City. Nanjing Party Secretary Zhou Hongbo and Jiangsu Governor Xu Kunlin met with the delegation, underscoring the strategic value of the partnership. Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. Chairman Xie Ning and President Zhu Gang participated in the discussions, solidifying details for deeper collaboration and marking a significant milestone in their 20-year partnership.
The roots of this cooperation trace back to 2005, when BNP Paribas first became a shareholder of Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. Over the years, their relationship evolved into a strategic partnership, expanding across multiple dimensions. The newly signed memorandum outlines a "six-link" framework for collaboration, covering capital, credit, industry, clients, technology, and expertise. This comprehensive approach breaks the traditional limitations of financial cooperation, creating a synergistic system that enhances Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd.'s business boundaries and international competitiveness—key factors as it approaches a critical growth phase.
BNP Paribas' confidence in Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. is reflected not only in strategic cooperation but also in tangible stake increases. From September to late November 2025, BNP Paribas raised its stake by 128 million shares via the QFII channel, accounting for 1.04% of the bank’s total equity. Combined with a previous 108 million share purchase in September, these moves lifted BNP Paribas' total stake (including QFII holdings) from 17.02% to 18.06%, reinforcing its role as a stabilizing force among shareholders. This aggressive buying signals strong confidence in Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd.'s fundamentals and bolsters market sentiment.
Domestic core shareholders have also joined the buying spree, creating a multi-party capital alignment. Key stakeholders such as Jiangsu Transportation Holding, Nanjing Zijin Investment Group, Nanjing High-Tech, and Eastern Airport Group Investment increased their holdings through secondary market purchases or convertible bond conversions in the first three quarters of 2025. Collectively, shareholders with stakes exceeding 1% (excluding Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company) added 1.034 billion shares, representing 8.37% of the bank’s total equity by Q3 2025—worth over 10 billion yuan at current prices. This synchronized buying by domestic and foreign investors underscores their endorsement of Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd.'s strategy and provides a solid foundation for future expansion.
The capital infusion is translating into tangible growth momentum. By Q3 2025, Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd.'s total assets reached 2.9623 trillion yuan, just 37.692 billion yuan shy of the 3 trillion target. As a leading city commercial bank, this milestone not only marks a significant leap for the bank but also highlights the growth potential of regional lenders in the Yangtze River Delta. Rather than pursuing reckless expansion, Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. has optimized its operational structure through precise capital management, laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
In capital replenishment, Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. achieved a breakthrough with regulatory approval to increase its registered capital from 10.007 billion yuan to 12.3635 billion yuan—a 23% rise—due to convertible bond conversions. This enhancement strengthens its capital adequacy ratio and creates room for asset expansion while aligning with regulatory requirements.
On the financing front, the bank successfully issued 10 billion yuan in three-year financial bonds at a fixed 1.80% coupon rate in 2025. This issuance broadens its funding channels, improves asset-liability matching, and ensures stable medium-to-long-term capital for business development. Additionally, the redemption of 490 million yuan in preference shares issued in December 2015 optimizes its capital structure, reduces costs, and directs resources toward higher-yield opportunities—showcasing refined capital management.
From foreign and domestic shareholder support to capital base expansion and bond issuance, Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. is fortifying its path to the 3 trillion asset mark. With the target within reach and capital initiatives bearing fruit, backed by the Yangtze River Delta’s economic strength, the bank is poised to enter a new growth phase. Moving forward, leveraging shareholder resources and operational refinements, Bank Of Nanjing Co.,Ltd. aims to enhance its core competitiveness while sustaining scale growth, setting a benchmark for regional banks.
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