How to open an ICBC online bank account
Why would I want to?
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC 工商银行 gōngshāng yínháng) is the preferred bank to use in conjunction with AliPay, the Chinese version of the PayPal online payment service. Once you have an online ICBC account, you can get an AliPay account. Once you have an AliPay account, then you can start using Taobao - the Chinese version of Ebay. And that means lots of goodies at low, low prices :)
To open an online ICBC account, first you have to go to the bank…
1. Take the following to your local ICBC:
- your passport
- two A4 black and white photocopies of the bio page from your passport
- RMB 100 for account opening fees (= RMB 85 for the U-shield USB key, and RMB 15 for the debit card)
- and whatever amount of money you want to open the account with
You have to make sure you ask to open account with online banking (网上银行 wǎngshàng yínháng) and a U-shield password device. Here’s what you say in Chinese:
我要开一个网上银行，要有网上银行功能和U盾。
wǒ yào kāi yī gè wǎngshàng yínháng, yào yǒu wǎngshàng yínháng gōngnéng hé U dùn
What’s the U Shield USB key for?
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They will give you two forms to fill in. The blank ones look like this:
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Filled in it looks like this:
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2. Hand over the completed forms, your passport, photocopies and all the money.
3. The bank teller will ask you for a six number password for your account – this is the number you use with your card in cash machines, bank tellers etc, whenever you want to get at your money. It is also the same number as your online password – you have to change this online password as part of the process of getting online banking set up.
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4. The bank teller will then give you back:
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5. Now you’ll be sent over to another desk to activate your U Shield, here they should also take you through the steps to install the ICBC banking software on your computer (explained below in English). Without that software installed, you can’t access your account online. However, you can install the software on as many computers as you want (Windows only, of course).
So now you’ve got an account, you need to install the banking software on your computer…
How to install ICBC banking software on your computer
Please note: For this you can only use Windows 2000/XP.
1. Go to the home page of the ICBC website (www.icbc.com.cn) and click on the install (安装) link…
2. This install link will take you through to a new page which offers two ways to install ICBC online banking software on your computer, either through the individual components (certificate driver, controls, patches etc) or install everything all in one go with an “ICBC Internet Banking Assistant” (工行网银助手). It’s easier and safer just to go for that option, you know you’re not going to miss something vital then. So click on the first link:
3. It will give you the usual “Where do you want to save this file” window, and you can start downloading (the file name should be “ICBCSetupIntegration.msi”).
4. Open the file, and the installation will start. It will ask you what language you want to use – again for this guide I’m just using Chinese, though English is an option. Click next until it asks where you want to install the program, and whether you want anyone to be able to use it (任何人) or just you (只有我). Choose the options you want and click next twice, then “close” once it’s installed.
5. Now the helper is installed, and you can find it in Start > Programs > 工行网银客户瑞软件 > 工行网银助手 > 工行网银助手. Start the program and you’ll see this:
Close Internet Explorer if it isn’t already, and click on the furthest right button at the top “安装向导“ (=”Install Wizard”).
6. …and it’ll take you to this window:
The first two options you shouldn’t need to change, it should already be set to “Account Type: Personal (个人)” and “Certificate Type: U Shield (U盾)”. But you do need to enter you U Shield USB key serial number, it’s printed on the the back of the USB key. Then click “next (下一步)”.
7. … to see this:
You just need to click “next”.
If you’re interested, this is just telling you what the program will install: The certification software and COM controls are essential if you want to use the online banking, the software in the middle is account management and anti-phishing software, that bit’s optional.
8. The software will unpack…
and when it’s done you’ll get this:
Click “next (下一步)” and you can choose where to install the software:
You’ll get the same window for the anti-phishing software and the U Shield USB key installation, just keep clicking next and eventually you’ll get this window:
… which just tells you everything’s been installed successfully. Click on “Return (返回)”, and you’re done! But don’t close the window yet!
9. It’ll show you this list:
Click on the “Personal Banking (个人银行)” link.
By the way, you no longer need the Wizard – you can close it now. You won’t need it when you access your account either, just log in directly through Internet Explorer…
10. It’ll open up Internet Explorer and give you this page:
You need to enter:
- your debit card number
- your password number (the six digit number you gave the bank teller when you opened the account)
- the security number (squiggly numbers in the box)
Click on “Login (登录)” and you’ll go through to…
11. This page, this is where you change your online password:
Here’s what it’s asking you for:
登录密码 = Login password (the one you gave the bank teller, the one you just used on the previous page)
新登录密码 = New password, this new number must be at least six digits long, and contain numbers AND letters
新登录密码确认 = Re-enter your new password.
验证码 = Enter the squiggly numbers from the neighbouring box.
证件类型 = Type of ID certification, you want to choose “passport (护照)” because that’s what you gave the bank teller when you opened your account.
证件号码 = ID certification number, ie. your passport number.
Fill it all in and click on “Confirm (确认)”….
12. If it’s all worked, you’ll get this page confirming that your new password has been accepted (”您的登录密码已经修改成功”)
… and click on “Next (下一步)” to go through to a page for setting your backup verification phrase (预留验证信息)…
13. On this page:
Your backup verification phrase (预留验证信息) is quite a neat idea, you can enter any phrase you like (”Green eggs and ham”, “My dog’s name is Baozi” etc) and any website that asks for your ICBC bank details will return this phrase. You should see a line something like this:
您在我行的预留验证信息是：“Green eggs and ham” 如果该回显的信息与您预留的不一致，请您立即停止交易，并尽快与我行客服电话95588联系。
Your ICBC verification phrase is “Green eggs and ham”. If this is not your verification phrase, please immediately cease this transaction and contact our customer service department immediately on 95588.
So if that’s not your phrase, chances are you’re on a fake site.
Once you’ve entered your phrase click “Confirm”, you’ll be given a page restating your verification page and telling you to remember it. Click through to go back to the login page…
14. Once you’ve logged in again, you’ll be given a page with a quick message:
Which just gives you the option of using a name instead of your card number to login. Tick the box if you don’t want to see the message again, click “Ok (确定)” and you’re through to….
15. Your account! That’s it, you’re in, finally….
So next time you want to access your account online, go to the home page at www.icbc.com.cn and then click on the button for “Personal Online Banking Login (个人网上银行登录)” and you’re away…
1viva
wrote on 21 January 2011 at 22:28
if i open an ICBC bank account in Malaysia, will i be able to reload or verify my Alipay account?
2akash
wrote on 9 May 2011 at 20:47
awesome thanks man.this information has helped me alot.
3Andrew
wrote on 9 October 2011 at 16:44
Hi, as I understand I can make all the formalities in China (including getting the U-dun) and to install the software when I come back to my country (not China), right?
4Jason
wrote on 9 October 2011 at 23:48
I don’t have any experience of doing that, so I don’t know I’m afraid. There might be a problem – for example, the Chinese bank website might not allow you to log on from an ISP outside China. I tried Googling the answer and no joy.
Another problem I’ve run into is a transfer limit of RMB 500 / day from my bank account to Alipay. The only way to change this so that I can move larger sums of money is to enter my ID card (身份证) number. As I’m a foreigner, not a Chinese national, I don’t have an ID number, so there doesn’t seem to be any way round this.
Now I just find it easier to give money to a Chinese friend and get them to transfer the money to my Alipay account. That’s your best solution I think, solves a lot of headaches. And when you’re outside of China you could just send them cash through international bank transfer.
5Andrew
wrote on 10 October 2011 at 10:27
Thank you for answer. 500 rmb per day not a big problem: 2000 rmb per 4 days, 4000 – per 8 days, :)
6Andrew
wrote on 10 October 2011 at 10:31
But you have to put money to ICBC bank account. How to do that? I found the only way (if not in China) – to make a card in HSBC bank which is the only bank that you can send money from to ICBC. To HSBC you should be able to send money from credit card that is emitted in my own country.
A bit roundabout way, huh… Never tried it but may be worth trying.
7AJ
wrote on 4 May 2012 at 17:27
Hi!
I have an ICBC Money Link Card (the blue one). I want to purchase airplane ticket online. Can I use that card to purchase without the USB stuffs? Do you happen to know how can I pay online using that card? Thanks! :)
8Jason
wrote on 9 May 2012 at 5:00
Hi AJ, you have to use the USB thing I’m afraid, you also have to set up the online payment service – it’s not automatic. You take your ID and bank stuff to your local branch and request 开通网上银行 service. Once you’ve done that, you should be able to buy plane tickets online….No need for Alipay.
9jann
wrote on 23 May 2012 at 15:32
hi guys, this is really helpful, I am not a window user, I am on Mac . . . anyway I can install the online banking software to start up? thanks
10Jason
wrote on 23 May 2012 at 15:48
According to this news story (http://jingji.cntv.cn/20120412/107891.shtml) yes, the Apple version is just out this year.
11Fred
wrote on 3 June 2012 at 20:07
Hello Jason, I have a query that I hope you can help with.
I wish to start a bank account in order to pay for orders on taobao. May I ask, as a foreigner, can I simply open a basic savings account? Will the lack of a domestic address be an issue?
Regards
Fred
12Jason
wrote on 4 June 2012 at 3:56
Unless there’s a special reason for opening a bank account for taobao, I’d recommend buying prepaid cards, and checking out taobaofieldguide.com (I found this out after going through the hassle of bank accounts etc).
If you do want to go the bank account route, I don’t think they will care that much about an address, and if they do I’d just use a friend’s. Unlike (say) UK banks which send bank statements, brochures and so on to your home address, Chinese banks never contact you – by post or phone. It’s all done at the branch or online.
The only problem I’ve had with being a foreigner using Taobao is there’s an upper limit of RMB 500 limit (as mentioned above).
13sylvia
wrote on 1 August 2012 at 14:49
Hi jason, you said you are using mac. i just got my USB shield today , but it’s ‘exe’ and I can’t install it on my mac..
What do you suggest?
14Jason
wrote on 1 August 2012 at 22:58
Hi Sylvia – I haven’t tried using a mac for Chinese online banking, but….
The ICBC page for Apple software is here.
It doesn’t use the U Shield usb stick, it uses a “password device” (密码器), like a little calculator, here’s the page.
It looks a lot more useful than the U Shield, because you can use the same device on your iPad, iPhone, and mac…
15sylvia
wrote on 2 August 2012 at 16:48
Jason, thx for the info :)
16Cal
wrote on 14 August 2012 at 12:33
ICBC Internet banking works fine on Mac OS X 10.7 – but only on Safari. Trying to use Chrome or Firefox currently gives an error.
The instructions given above worked great with this, and I clicked English version on top-right with no issues.
Only problem is the USB-guard/key you get given doesn’t currently work with Mac, so either use a Windows machine or go back to ICBC to get one of those password calculators Jason recommends – but I haven’t done that yet.
17Cal
wrote on 14 August 2012 at 12:34
Sorry for double-post, but I also meant to say you can still use internet banking without with just password, but some functions are locked out without the USB-guard.
18John
wrote on 10 September 2012 at 17:00
Can I still get Password Calculator by going online on ICBC and ordering it off there? Also does the USB guard work with mac now?
Thanks
19ryan
wrote on 10 September 2012 at 18:51
hi, in order to sign up these ICBC online account. do i need a china address. i will be travel to china end of this month with just travel visa. do i able to open these account ?
thanks
20Cal
wrote on 11 September 2012 at 5:13
John: I think you have to go to your local branch and ask for one there – use a pamphlet or show a printout of the webpage above – or a translator may well be required for that.
ryan: I would only really bother with the hassle of opening a bank account if your living and/or working in China for long periods of time, like if you want your salary paid. For traveling I would just use a pre-paid credit card along the lines of Caxton FX which I also use which charges you no ATM fees. Easiest way to do it.
21John
wrote on 13 September 2012 at 14:09
Thanks for the quick response! That is not very good, I have left China now. Is the application for the e-password device an easy one? I guess I will have to purchase windows…
22Zakary
wrote on 11 January 2013 at 14:55
Ok, so I just figured out how to use ICBC online banking in Safari on my new MacBook.
DON’T GO TO THE INSTALL SOFTWARE PAGE. You have to go to the Chinese language log-in page, and where you would enter your password, there is a link to download the software you need to use online banking on your mac. Just click the blue link, the software will download, you install in, restart your browser, and you’re good to go.
Hope this makes sense!
23ian
wrote on 11 April 2013 at 16:38
Hi How do i open a account to transfer money to alipay if i am in singapore ?
24bob
wrote on 29 April 2013 at 10:07
i tried to install the ebank assistant on windows 8, but unsuccessful, every time i install it says DLL cannot be installed… any clue if icbc support for windows 8?