How to use a Chinese bank on-line interface

How to use a Chinese bank on-line interface

There are many banks in China, and each one comes with its own on-line banking interface.
Using Chinese on-line banking is not hard, particularly if you can read Chinese characters.

Make sure you have:

• Chinese bank account supporting on-line operations.
• A computer running Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer.
  
• On-line security devices: USB security key, security token devices, passphrases.
  
• The first time you may want to ask a Chinese friend to help you out.

Optional translation tools
Google toolbar offers machine translations of entire pages.
Nciku is an in-browser dictionary: highlight and translate any character.

Once you’ve read this guide you’ll be able to breeze through the transaction process of the most popular Chinese banks:

ICBC
Bank of China
China Merchant Bank
China Construction Bank
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank

A few tips for on-line payments through a Chinese bank's interface

• Most Chinese banks just provide online payment solutions requiring Microsoft Windows equipped with Internet Explorer 6.0+. Make sure you are using this combination when you perform on-line payments.
  
  
• Install the required ActiveX plugins when the bank interface requires it.
  
  
• Make sure youinstall the USB Key driver and downloaded the necessary certificate file when your bank requires USB key to perform online payment. 
  
  
• Using the USB key can be a bit complicated if you can't read Chinese. Install some translation software to help you out.
  
  
• Ideal for Mac users: Shanghai Pudong Development Bank provides an on-line secure payment solution requiring any mobile phone rather than a specific computer or software.

ICBC ^

ICBC is the most popular bank in China. When you activate your on-line banking account don’t forget to get a USB security key. This device has to be properly installed and plugged in your computer any time you want to use ICBC Internet banking. It only works with Windows SP2 + IE 6.0+.

You need: ICBC on-line banking account details; Windows and Internet Explorer;.USB security key.

• Step one
  Check the payment information, enter your account/card details, and fill out the Captcha anti-spam form with the appropriate verification code on its side. Click on “Submit” to proceed.
  
  
  
• Step two
  Double check the transaction details and the total amount. Click on “Full payment” to proceed.
  
  
  
  
• Step three
  In this page you need to input your “Transaction password” and two Captcha anti-spam verification codes, then proceed as usual. If you linked your mobile phone to your bank account, you will receive a SMS with an additional password that you need to type in before proceeding with the transaction.
  
  

• Step four
  Done! All the details of your successful transaction will be notified in this final page.

China Merchant Bank ^

CMB has a rich experience in dealing with on-line payments, and they provide a clear and easy on-line payment solution.

You need: CMB on-line banking account details; Windows and Internet Explorer;.mobile phone (optional).

• Step one
  Choose the “Card and password” payment option from the CMB on-line banking interface. Input your card number and the verification codes, then hit “Confirm” to proceed.
  
  
  
  
• Step two
  If you linked your bank account to your mobile phone, then you will receive a SMS with a number that you need to input in this page. Proceed by clicking on “Submit”.
  
  
• Step three
  Voila! Transaction complete

China Construction Bank ^

A very popular bank with a fairly easy Internet interface. CCB may give you a USB security key similar to the one used by ICBC.

You need: CCB on-line banking account details; Windows and Internet Explorer;.USB security key.

• Step one
  Enter your username details or in alternative your passport number. Input your password and the verification code. Hit “Next” to continue.
  
  
  
  
• Step two
  This is the payment page, where you can select which account you want to use (in case you have more than one), and insert your transaction password. Don’t forget to input the Captcha anti-spam code! Click on “Confirm” to complete the payment.
  
  
  
  
• Step three
  There you go! Transaction complete.
  
  
  

Bank of China ^
Bank of China provides an interface similar to China Construction Bank.

You need: BOC on-line banking account details; Bank of China security token; Windows and Internet Explorer, passport (optional).

• Step one
  Enter your username details or in alternative your passport number. Input your password and the verification code. Hit “Next” to continue.
  
  
• Step two
  This is the payment page, where you can select which account you want to use (in case you have more than one), and insert your transaction password (it is generated automatically by your BOC security token, just read it on its display). Don’t forget to input the Captcha anti-spam code! Click on “Confirm” to complete the payment.
  
  
  
• Step three
  There you go! Transaction complete.

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank ^

SPDB provides an efficient cross-platform (PC, Mac, and every browser) payment solution. Everything you need is a mobile phone. The bank will send you a “Dynamic password” SMS whenever you confirm an on-line transaction.

You need: SPDB on-line banking account details; any computer / operating system / browser; mobile phone.

• Step one
  Select the second tab on the left hand-side of the page, and input your banking username and password. Verify the Captcha anti-spam code, then click the “Sign in” button to proceed.
  

• Step two
  Here you must enter the “Dynamic password” that SPDB sent to your mobile phone. Click the “Login” button to proceed.
  
  

• Step Three
  Select the “Online Payment” tab, choose which account number you want to use (if you have more than one SPDB accounts), and then click the “Ok” button to continue.
  

• Step four
  This is the last step: input your transaction password (the one you got from the bank when you signed up for Internet banking), and the second “Dynamic password” SMS you have received right after the previous step. Click the “OK” button to complete the transaction.

How to use your UnionPay card with Alipay

Go back to the top