Bank of China (BOC), in the past few decades, has shifted its strategy of providing financial services in the country.

BOC, in 1980s, expanded bankcard services and business operations by cooperating with overseas and domestic banks, such as Hong Kong's Nanyang Commercial Bank Limited, the Bank of Tokyo and American Express.

In 1985, the bank initiated its own card in Guangdong province in South China.

The advanced services quickly spread to the rest of the nation, all under the name of the Great Wall Card.

In 2004, the bank acquired the rights to be an exclusive banking partner for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, when it issued its first prepaid cards to facilitate purchases by visitors at any site, which offered Unionpay services. It proved to be popular.

By the end of 2010, BOC had issued 170 million bankcards with daily transactions surpassing the two billion yuan mark.

BOC defines itself as the most global of all of China's banks with an extensive network of branches and subsidiaries.

The branches provide multi-currency card products, car rental discounts, and road assistance to people from all over the world.

A bank officer says prudent management and safeguarding clients have contributed to the bank's well-regarded reputation.

Its monitoring system keeps personal information private, and its encryption technology guarantees safety to the highest degree.

The bank allows cardholders to check their balances, available credit lines, bonus points and other information through a quick-messaging service.

The BOC has continually refined its network services coinciding with a major plan to combine its phone, online services and mobile handsets to offer more flexible and advanced options.

The bank has aggressively pursued its online business objectives to promote a low carbon economy.

From: China Daily  by HUANG MENGXIN