Site of the Former Office of the Three Eastern Provinces' Official Bank

Site of the Former Office of the Three Eastern Provinces' Official Bank

The site of the Former Office of the Three Eastern Provinces' Official Bank is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Liaoning Province.

Established in the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905) and ceasing operations in the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932), the Office of the Three Eastern Provinces' Official Bank was the earliest modern bank founded in the Northeast region. It not only monopolized the financial sector in the Northeast but also controlled many industrial and commercial enterprises. The bank holds an important position in the history of China's economic and financial development. It not only served as a lever for the social and economic development of the Northeast at that time, but also played a significant role in resisting the financial aggression of Japanese and Russian imperialist forces.

The Office of the Three Eastern Provinces' Official Bank was the earliest modern bank established in Shenyang. In 1905 (the 31st year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty), Shengjing General Zhao Erxun petitioned the imperial court and, upon approval, established the Fengtian Banking Office. After the Northeast was reorganized into provinces, the bank’s business gradually expanded to Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. In 1909, it was officially permitted to be called the Office of the Three Eastern Provinces' Bank.

In addition to its head office in Shenyang, it had 80 branch offices throughout the Northeast and operated 22 industrial and commercial enterprises, including Lida Company, becoming a monopoly in the Northeast’s financial sector with comprehensive economic strength—a veritable trust.

Protected area: 12 meters north of the outer base of the building’s exterior wall, extending east to the western boundary of the protected area of Chang’an Temple, south to the red line of the northern side of Chang’an Temple Lane, and west within the red line of the eastern side of Chaoyang Street.

Construction control zone: Buildings within 18 meters north of the protected area must be limited to a height of no more than 15 meters.

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Liaoning Province