Introduction

2007 is a landmark year for China's banking sector as it opens up to foreign investment to meet its WTO commitments. Both domestic and major multinational firms are being presented with enormous opportunities to grow and tap a significant new market. While multinational entrants are concerned with building infrastructure and headcount, domestic firms are faced with balancing existing systems with rapidly innovating processes and technologies to transform into world class institutions. The wide range of Chinese customers also has to be appropriately targeted with the right products and services, especially given the dramatically different needs of various segments.

This conference, by providing a powerful East-West dialogue, will look at the transformational issues facing China's rapidly expanding banking sector and facilitate a deeper understanding of the emerging landscape of China's banking structure in the coming years.