In 2001, foreign banks accounted for 1.8 percent of the total banking assets, 0.35 percent of the RMB loans, and 14.7 percent of foreign exchange loans. While in 2005, these figures rose respectively to 1.89 percent, 0.55 percent and 20.97 percent.
With restrictions on RMB business to be removed in 2006, the market share of foreign banks in RMB business is likely to further expand. By 2005, 25 foreign banks have taken stakes in altogether 20 domestic banks, with some banks investing in different domestic banks.