Core Points - The article discusses the transformation of Shanghai City United Bank into Shanghai Bank in 1998, marking a significant milestone in the development of China's banking sector [1][5][11] - The renaming was part of a broader effort to enhance Shanghai's image as an international financial center and to provide a clearer identity for the bank [5][12] Group 1: Historical Context - Over 100 city cooperative banks emerged as a vital part of the financial system by the end of the last century, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and local economies [1] - In 1998, the People's Bank of China mandated that city cooperative banks change their names to city commercial banks, leading to the unique case of Shanghai Bank being the first bank named after a city [1][5] Group 2: Renaming Process - The original name proposed was "Shanghai City Commercial Bank," but due to existing similar names in Hong Kong and Taiwan, it was changed to "Shanghai Bank Co., Ltd." to avoid confusion and align with international practices [5][6] - The approval for the name change was granted on August 10, 1998, making Shanghai Bank the only bank in China named after a city at that time [5][6] Group 3: Brand Development - The renaming was seen as a new starting point for Shanghai Bank, aligning its identity with the city's modernization and internationalization efforts [12] - The bank adopted a new visual identity (VI system) that reflects Shanghai's financial landscape, with design elements symbolizing the city’s iconic features [14] Group 4: Business Initiatives - Shanghai Bank has focused on serving small and medium-sized enterprises, launching various specialized products and services to support local economic development [15][17] - The bank has also been a pioneer in introducing foreign investment, cross-regional operations, and cross-border initiatives among city commercial banks in China [17]