AI Bank, set up by China CITIC Bank and Baidu, is China's first licensed direct bank focused on online inclusive finance; its Baidu Flash-Pay digital card is a signature product.
Fully online, done in minutes; residents only
AI Bank is China's first licensed direct bank; its service agreement limits accounts to Chinese citizens holding a mainland 2nd-generation ID card, so foreigners cannot open one. Use a traditional bank branch instead (see the other banks on this page).
These are stable, standing account benefits (not time-limited) — available as long as you qualify:
No. Account opening requires a mainland 2nd-generation ID card; foreigners cannot open one.
No minimum deposit; online account opening is free.
Mainland 2nd-generation ID card + mainland real-name mobile number + a same-name linked account.
Fully online; the account opens immediately after identity verification.
ID document is not a mainland 2nd-generation card; the mobile number is not registered in your own name; the linked account is not a same-name Type-I account.
Standing benefits: No Monthly Fee, No Min Deposit, Fully Online, Digital Bank, Fast Approval. Promotions change by region and quarter — always check the bank's official promo page (verified 2026-10).
Having documents ready lowers the chance of rejection; policies change, so confirm with the bank before applying.