"When we first encountered CIB, Yan Yiming was still a branch client manager. Over the years, as our company grew from its early stages to preparing for an IPO, whenever we faced difficulties, he and his colleagues were always there to help us. This kind of dedication is truly commendable," said a representative from Insta360, one of the world's most innovative companies in 2024, praising Yan Yiming.
In 2022, CIB identified Techfin as one of the "Five New Tracks" for strategic focus. The Shenzhen Branch of CIB took the lead by establishing a Techfin Center, appointing Yan Yiming as its director, emerging from his role as a frontline business manager. Recognized as an excellent client manager, he had already expanded relationships with over 20 venture capital institutions, conducting in-depth research on the characteristics and financial needs of tech enterprises and their industry chains. Before joining the Techfin Center, he was already an “insider” in the venture capital and tech industries.
In Shenzhen, known as the "City of Innovation," how does one foster a “mutual growth” of technology and finance, effectively contributing to the Techfin narrative? Yan Yiming and his team leveraged CIB’s Techfin advantages, tailoring their approach to Shenzhen's unique environment. They nourished the frontline of innovation with financial resources, consistently helping” tech startups” grow into "Little Giants" and "Unicorns."
Supportive Technology, Tailored Approaches: Crafting a New Service Model with the "Tech Stream Customer Acquisition Sandbox"
"In 2023, when I first joined, I had no client resources. Following the 'Tech Stream' sandbox guidelines issued by the branch's Techfin Center, I managed to secure 8 clients in less than 4 months," recalled Xiao Zheng, a tech client manager at CIB’s Shenzhen Guangming Branch, expressing gratitude for the "Tech Stream" system.
The "Tech Stream" is a credit evaluation system that CIB innovatively launched in 2022. Unlike the traditional "capital flow" evaluation system, which is based on a company's financial status, the "Tech Stream" system focuses on assessing a company's technological innovation capabilities. This approach promotes the creditworthiness of tech innovations in the financial sector, further broadening financing channels for tech enterprises.
The logic of big data application sparked inspiration for Yan Yiming: "'Tech Stream' evaluation system has already ‘meticulously selected’ tech enterprises from 17 dimensions, including technological qualifications, awards and subsidies, talent, and industry trends. If we combine local data and screen a list of high-quality tech enterprises that the branch hasn't developed yet, and organize it, wouldn't that be a precise customer acquisition guide?"
Yan Yiming immediately led the Techfin Center of the branch to leverage the Tech Stream rating results. By coordinating cross-departmental and cross-institutional data resources, they built the branch’s "Tech Stream Customer Acquisition Sandbox," enabling dual application on both mobile and desktop platforms. This allowed frontline personnel to follow the "blueprint," significantly improving customer reach effectiveness. This move advanced the "Tech Stream" from credit approval to the customer acquisition stage, maximizing its impact. Within just over six months of the sandbox’s launch, the Shenzhen Branch of CIB secured over 150 new tech credit enterprises, driving an additional 1 billion RMB in loans to small and medium tech enterprises.
"Smart sensors were a relatively unfamiliar track for me. It was the 'Tech Stream Customer Acquisition Sandbox' that gave me direction and confidence." In 2023, Xiao Liu, a client manager at CIB’s Shenzhen Jingtian Sub-branch, identified a company named Refresh Sensors within the Tech Stream Customer Acquisition Sandbox while marketing in the UNIS Port Park. "Although the company was still in the R&D phase, its products were at the final trial stage, about to go into production. Considering its comprehensive technological strength, we judged it to have great potential." Under the "Tech Stream" credit approval model, the company initially received a credit line of 3 million RMB. Just one year later, the company was targeted for special attraction by the Guangming District of Shenzhen, and both its sales and R&D scale multiplied several times.
Banks Providing the Platform, Multi-party Performance: The First-of-its-Kind "CIB InvestElite" Integrated Financing Platform
"Government, private equity, and securities firms are all important entities serving tech enterprises. As a hub for resource allocation, the bank must gather all these forces to form a 'five-in-one' synergy, truly nurturing a fertile financial soil for tech enterprises and creating a favorable ecosystem," Yan Yiming said. After visiting more than ten venture capital institutions and tech enterprises to understand their needs, the idea of creating an exclusive investment and financing platform for tech enterprises gradually took shape.
"The first time we met CIB, Yan Yiming was still a branch client manager. Over the years, from our company's early steps to applying for an IPO, whenever we encountered difficulties, he and his colleagues were always there to help us. This dedication is truly commendable!" said a representative from Insta360, one of the world's most innovative companies in 2024, with high praise for Yan Yiming.
In 2022, CIB identified Techfin as one of its "Five New Tracks" for strategic focus. The Shenzhen Branch of CIB took the lead by establishing a Techfin Center, appointing Yan Yiming as its director, emerging from his role as a frontline business manager. Recognized as an excellent client manager, he had already expanded relationships with over 20 venture capital institutions, conducting in-depth research on the characteristics and financial needs of tech enterprises and their industry chains. Before joining the Techfin Center, he was already well-versed in the venture capital and tech industries.
In Shenzhen, known as the "City of Innovation," how does one foster mutual growth of technology and finance, effectively contributing to the Techfin narrative? Yan Yiming and his team leveraged CIB’s Techfin advantages, tailoring their approach to Shenzhen's unique environment. They nourished the frontline of innovation with financial resources, consistently helping tech startups grow into "Little Giants" and "Unicorns."
Empowering Technology, Tailoring Approaches: Crafting a New Service Model with the "Tech Stream Customer Acquisition Sandbox"
"Government, private equity, and securities firms all play vital roles in serving tech enterprises. As a central hub for resource allocation, banks must bring together these forces to form a comprehensive 'five-in-one' synergy, effectively nurturing a fertile financial environment for tech companies," said Yan Yiming. After visiting over 10 venture capital institutions and tech enterprises, he identified the needs of both sides and began to mature the idea of creating a dedicated investment and financing platform for tech enterprises.
Yan Yiming first proactively contacted local government industry and technology departments to seek policy support. At the same time, leveraging CIB's interbank financial advantages, he connected with securities companies and integrated private equity resources to help more "small but thriving" tech enterprises gain visibility in the market and among investors. In this way, an exclusive "stage" for investment and financing services for small and medium-sized enterprises began to take shape.
After meticulous planning and deployment, the first "CIB InvestElite" semiconductor special roadshow was successfully held on July 20, 2023. The event saw enthusiastic participation from the Bao'an District Industry and Information Bureau of Shenzhen, six national-level specialized and sophisticated "Little Giant" enterprises or companies invested by renowned investment institutions, over 50 well-known venture capital institutions, and three leading securities firms. This scene echoed the name "CIB InvestElite," representing a gathering of talents in CIB's investment circle.
"We participated in the first 'CIB InvestElite' roadshow, connected with dozens of investment institutions on-site, and have now successfully received an investment intention from Central South Venture Capital. We are very grateful to CIB for providing this platform!" said the person in charge of investment and financing at Link Sense.
Unlike traditional roadshows that tend to be singular in form, each session of the "CIB InvestElite" invites relevant district-level government departments to introduce various preferential policies and district-owned guiding fund investment policies to private equity institutions and enterprises. Coupled with CIB's flagship product, the "Investment Loan Linkage," in just over six months, CIB Shenzhen Branch's "CIB InvestElite" regular roadshows have held four sessions, each with full attendance, gaining a good reputation in Shenzhen's venture capital circle.
So far, the regular "CIB InvestElite" roadshows have helped 28 tech enterprises connect with over 80 private equity institutions and well-known securities firms, gradually forming a positive brand effect in Shenzhen. More and more small and medium-sized tech enterprises are leveraging CIB's platform to enter the capital market, accelerating their development and exemplifying CIB's deepening "Commercial Banking + Investment Banking" strategy.
Connecting Resources, Financing with Intelligence: “Tailor-made” Financial Services
"Director Zheng, we have a 'Little Giant' client looking for a factory..." This was the fifth call Yan Yiming made to the relevant district government department in just a few days. "The customer's needs are our direction of effort, and the customer's satisfaction is our value!" This unwavering belief of Yan Yiming is also the service pursuit of CIB.
In 2022, CIB’s Shenzhen Xin'an Sub-branch encountered a bottleneck while trying to win over a national-level specialized and sophisticated "Little Giant" client. "This 'Little Giant' client, with core technology in automotive precision bearings, is a highly sought-after prize among banks. Engaging in a mere price war wouldn't give us a clear advantage. We need to innovate beyond traditional financial services," said Yan Yiming, presenting his solution.
During a visit to the enterprise, Yan Yiming and his team noticed that the company's leaders showed little interest in traditional banking services like loans and wealth management. Quickly changing his approach, Yan Yiming highlighted CIB's early focus on financial services for industrial parks. "If you need assistance in finding a factory in an industrial park or other related financial services, we can help facilitate that," he suggested. Hearing this, the enterprise's leaders immediately perked up. The company was at a crucial stage of expanding production, but its current leased factory could no longer meet the demands of new orders and equipment updates, and the leaders were actively searching for suitable production space.
"To support the development of the '20+8' related industries, the Shenzhen municipal government has provided a batch of high-quality industrial spaces for specialized and sophisticated enterprises and 'Little Giants.' These spaces are sold at cost prices and are perfect for your needs!" Yan Yiming, well-versed in Shenzhen’s industrial policies, quickly proposed a solution.
Over the next two weeks, Yan Yiming tirelessly contacted government departments in Bao'an, Longgang, Yantian, and Dapeng, which were either constructing or planning high-quality industrial spaces. He organized the branch's Techfin Center and sub-branch staff to accompany the client to discuss needs, draft plans, and inspect sites.
"From Guangming to Longgang, Director Yan's team practically crossed the entire city of Shenzhen with us, covering over 400 kilometers in just a week and a half. We finally found the ideal factory. Thanks to CIB for helping us find a satisfactory 'new home'!" In June 2023, this national-level specialized and sophisticated "Little Giant" enterprise moved into the Baolong Specialized and Sophisticated Industrial Park in Longgang District as scheduled. With their attentive "non-financial" services, CIB became the enterprise's preferred banking partner.
"Shenzhen has 8,600 specialized and sophisticated enterprises, with only 742 'Little Giant' enterprises. To stand out among many banks, we must step beyond the traditional 'commercial banking' service boundaries, proactively solving clients' pain points and offering 'commercial banking + investment banking' and 'financial + non-financial services.' In doing so, we achieve commercial value by helping clients realize their value," Yan Yiming remarked profoundly.
Thanks to the efforts of tech finance staff led by Yan Yiming, CIB's Shenzhen Branch has maintained a leading position in the industry. By the end of 2023, the branch had over 4,600 tech finance clients, with a growth rate of nearly 20%. Among them, the local service coverage rate for national-level specialized and sophisticated "Little Giant" enterprises exceeded 50%. The balance of tech finance loans reached 38.1 billion RMB, with an annual growth rate of 41%.
Taking a broader perspective, the Shenzhen Branch, as one of CIB's key branches for tech finance, reflects CIB's forward-looking layout and relentless exploration in tech finance and new productive forces services. In recent years, CIB has adapted to economic development changes and the needs of technological innovation, continuously deepening the structural reform of tech finance supply and improving the full lifecycle service system, promoting a virtuous cycle of "technology—industry—finance." By the end of 2023, CIB had 159,600 tech finance clients, an increase of 30.61% from the beginning of the year. The balance of tech finance loans reached 827 billion RMB, an increase of 27.84% from the beginning of the year, with loans to specialized and sophisticated enterprises, tech SMEs, and long-term loans for high-tech manufacturing ranking at the forefront among joint-stock banks.