As can be seen from the above-mentioned legal nature of commercial banks, commercial banks have the following characteristics:
(1) Commercial banks must be legally established. Is based on the establishment of "Commercial Bank Law" relevant provisions of the "Company Law" and so on.
Main activity (2) Commercial banks are taking deposits and loans, and other intermediary business operations, such as billing services. Other non-bank financial institutions such as Baoxiangongsi , finance companies , because they do not take deposits and loans. Therefore, outside the scope of Commercial Banks.
(3) commercial banks and general industrial and commercial enterprises, as is a for-profit enterprise. Commercial banks have engaged in the business of its own capital needs, it Zizhujingying law, self-financing, in order to profit, and with all its legal liability of foreign property. Commercial banks to maximize profits for their own purposes. It is the pursuit of profit performance: the creation or operation of commercial banks profitable; whether to apply for a business or accept a certain customer, it also depends on its ability to generate profits for the bank.
(4) commercial banks is different from the general industrial and commercial enterprises of special business. Its particularity the specific differences in performance management object. Businesses operate is a certain Shiyongjiazhi commodities, commodity production in the circulation; and commercial banks is a special commodity - money. Therefore, commercial banks and businesses is a differentiated special business - financial companies.
(5) commercial banks but also from specialized banks and other financial institutions. Specialized bank focused only on business within the specified range and provide specialized services. Other financial institutions such as trust and investment companies , leasing companies , its business scope is more narrow, not a commercial bank. Commercial bank's business is comprehensive, both liability business , such as deposits, issuing financial bonds, there are business assets , such as loans, conduct securities investment , as well as intermediate business , such as billings. Therefore, commercial banks more versatile than specialized banks and other financial institutions, can provide customers in addition to trust and investment of all stock and financial services outside the business.