Former Site of the Jinan Branch of the Bank of Communications

Former Site of the Jinan Branch of the Bank of Communications

The former site of the Jinan Branch of the Bank of Communications is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

The former site of the Jinan Branch of the Bank of Communications was built in 1925 (some sources say 1926). It was designed by Chinese architect Zhuang Jun and is primarily in the early American neoclassical revival style inspired by ancient Greek architecture.

During the Japanese puppet regime, the bank was converted into the Bank of China United Reserve. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, it successively served as the Bank of Communications, the Central Bank, and the Beihai Bank. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it functioned as the office building of the People’s Bank of Shandong Province, and is now the office of the Shandong Banking Regulatory Bureau. In December 2006, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province. In early 2009, the building underwent certain renovations based on the principle of “restoring the old as it was,” with its façade and any parts inconsistent with the historical appearance being repaired and repainted.

The building was constructed using modern materials and technologies such as reinforced concrete, featuring a rigorous structure and a grand presence. It has three main floors above ground, with some sections extending to four floors, and includes a basement level. The main entrance is located on the north side, and the north façade is symmetrically designed, with a central section featuring a giant columnar treatment—six Ionic columns rising up to the third floor. The interior spaces are tall and spacious, with the central area on the ground floor serving as the banking hall, while the second and third floors are surrounded by corridors. Three vaults are located in the basement, with their inner walls and floors made of thick, cast-in-place reinforced concrete, making them extremely sturdy, and access to the vaults involves strict security procedures.

In 1924, to commemorate its 20th anniversary, the Bank of Communications issued a special set of commemorative banknotes. The back of these notes featured images of the bank's buildings in four locations, one of which—the image on the 20-yuan note—bears a strong resemblance to this building.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Shandong Province