Bank of China (BOC), the sole official banking partner of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, is working hard to provide efficient and quality Olympic financial services to domestic and foreign customers during this summer`s Olympic Games.

As 2008 marks the bank`s Olympic service year, BOC has been promoting its comprehensive services at its branches in the Olympic co-host cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning and Hong Kong.

The bank will offer a bilingual version of its "BOC Financial Service Manuel" in English and Chinese to introduce foreign athletes to its financial services. At its branches, non-China residents will be able to exchange foreign currency, cash, traveler`s checks, withdraw money from ATMs, make global remittances and use BOC Olympic credit cards.

In Beijing, BOC has established 80 new branches with obstacle-free facilities such as slope passages, handrails, and lower counters to create a favorable environment for the disabled.

For the convenience of foreign athletes and guests, the bank has trained its staff to improve their English language skill and service etiquette. It has also selected and transferred its key personnel and foreign language professionals from home and abroad.

BOC`s customer service telephone hotline, 95566, offers a multi-language information service in Chinese, English, French, Japanese, and Spanish for the convenience of overseas guests.

The bank will also offer "green passage" for Olympic-related foreign guests who will temporarily stay in China during the Games. This makes BOC the first domestic bank to open temporary bank accounts for non- residents.

For the up coming Games, BOC aims to promote the Olympic spirit and contribute to the success of the magnificent Olympic sports event, thereby hoping to improve its corporate image and value to society.

China Daily