Following a rebranding from Bank of Deyang to Great Wall West China Bank (GW Bank), GBA’s first member in China is making strides with its Women’s Market initiative. With financial and non-financial services offerings for women entrepreneurs and mass market clients alike, GW Bank has built momentum and brand awareness as a strong supporter of women in China. Below is a roundup of the offerings GW Bank has created and refined for its women customers in the last 12 months.
Good Sister Program: The first official women’s entrepreneurship initiative in China, the Good Sister Program aims to help women to start businesses by combining the bank’s business lending model with a community-based social welfare initiative. The bank solicits investments in the Good Sister fund from local enterprises and individuals who are interested in supporting women entrepreneurs, and selects qualified recipients via the bank’s thorough application process. Investors get a return on the fund, and women entrepreneurs receive not only financing, but also business advice from the bank to help them to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Educational Trainings: The bank is adding value for its women clients by consistently offering Entrepreneurial Salons and Financial Training courses. The events look to foster entrepreneurial and financial skills among both the mass market and women entrepreneurs, and focus on topics like investment, wealth management, basic financial skills and getting started in business.
Deyang Women Entrepreneurs Association: GW Bank has been raising its profile among local women entrepreneurs through a partnership with Deyang Women Entrepreneurs Association, which it is leveraging both to grow its client base and to conduct research about the demand for financial services among women business owners in the region. GW Bank is using this information to better understand the market and create offerings for its clients that reflect their needs.
Social Events: To maintain momentum for the program within the community and connect its women clients to one another, GW Bank has also been hosting a number of social events, inviting its female customers to celebrate International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day and other holidays by networking at the bank.
What have you been up to?
“Checking in” is a new feature the GBA is rolling out to keep the network updated on the incredible Women’s Market work of our members. If you would like your institution’s work to be showcased in a future story, contact vanessa.vanlandingham@gbaforwomen.org.
