By leveraging fintechs, banks can aid the success of Chinese companies expanding globally. Firms face complex financial, regulatory and operational challenges abroad, and banks can provide strategic support in cross-border payment, cross-border financing, treasury management, capital markets services, and business travel management. Each area allows banks to deepen client relationships, drive innovation and unlock growth.
Accelerating trade: Cross-border payment solutions for global commerce
Efficient cross-border payment systems are essential for Chinese exporters/importers to thrive internationally. With China’s goods exports worth USD3.6 trillion in 2024, the demand for fast, compliant, integrated payment solutions is surging, especially among cross-border e-commerce businesses. These firms require real-time API-based systems that support automated collection, reconciliation, compliance screening and transaction declarations. Banks that offer cloud-based payment solutions with seamless integration can become indispensable partners.
Financing growth: Enabling Chinese firms to localise and scale
Banks help Chinese companies secure the capital needed to expand overseas. In 2019-2024, Chinese automotive brands BYD, Chery and XPeng entered 27, 17 and 12 new markets, respectively. Financing local production, distribution and marketing is essential, especially in regions where Chinese firms lack credit history. Banks can bridge this gap through corporate guarantees, green loans and localised credit facilities.
59% of business respondents in Asia Pacific cited “expand to new markets” as the company plan to grow in 2025-2030
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Industry Survey 2024 (n=201, Asia Pacific)
United Overseas Bank’s (UOB) partnership with Great Wall Motor (GWM) exemplifies this approach. GWM faced difficulties securing local financing in Thailand after acquiring General Motor’s Rayong plant. In 2020, UOB structured a cross-border solution using a corporate guarantee from GWM China, enabling UOB Thailand to extend local funding and advisory support to GWM Thailand. UOB’s network in Southeast Asia also allowed GWM to rapidly establish operations and scale across the region.
Managing liquidity: Treasury solutions for global financial control
As Chinese firms expand globally, decentralised treasury operations can lead to costly overdrafts, FX inefficiencies and liquidity constraints. Banks can offer integrated treasury solutions that centralise financial operations, enhance control and reduce costs, especially valuable for firms managing complex multi-country operations.
Deutsche Bank’s 2025 partnership with Chinese enterprise software provider, Yonyou, illustrates this opportunity. Yonyou’s clients faced rising complexity in managing global financial resources. Deutsche Bank integrated its infrastructure with Yonyou’s treasury system, streamlining payments and improving financial control for Chinese clients expanding abroad.
Raising capital: Supporting IPOs and foreign direct investment (FDI)
Banks are essential partners for Chinese firms seeking to raise capital and build global credibility through IPOs and FDI. In 2024, China recorded USD204 billion in FDI outflows, ranking third globally. Investment banks provide underwriting, valuation advisory and regulatory navigation for IPOs and M&A transactions, critical services for firms executing complex, multi-jurisdictional deals.
A landmark case is Haier Smart Home’s 2020 listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Haier faced the challenge of privatising a subsidiary while listing in Hong Kong. CICC and JP Morgan designed a multi-jurisdictional structure and acted as joint sponsors, enabling Haier to become the first company tri-listed in Shanghai, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. This listing consolidates the client’s capital structure, enhancing investor confidence.
Empowering mobility: Business travel payment management
Business travel is a vital component of overseas expansion, yet many Chinese firms struggle with inefficient expense systems and reliance on personal credit cards. In Banks can offer corporate travel accounts, virtual cards and expense tracking platforms that improve reconciliation, control spend and enhance security.
Bank of China’s Great Wall Business Credit Card helps Chinese firms with poor systems for travel expense management. Bank of China partnered with Trip.com to offer discounts, double reward points and streamlined reconciliation, simplifying travel payments and improving financial transparency for corporate clients.
Moving forward: Navigating complexity with innovation
While the opportunities are vast, banks must navigate regulatory complexity, evolving client needs and technological integration, alongside balancing compliance with innovation. Successful ones will not only support Chinese firms’ global ambitions but also redefine cross-border banking in Asia Pacific. By investing in tailored solutions and strategic partnerships, banks can become trusted enablers of China’s next wave of international growth.
More opportunities across industries are in the white paper on Chinese brands disrupting Southeast Asia.