OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2011. The ICBC press conference which has taken place in Beijing on December 19 played host to a range of new ICBC precious metals products launched nationwide. The new offering includes regular investment of precious metals via account, two-way trading, trading palladium via account and dragon physical gold/silver medallion. The investors will have the opportunity again to enjoy the innovation of ICBC's precious metal services, the first such services offered by banks in China.

The four new precious metal products are very unique and practical. Launch of Regular investment of precious metal via account is a new service that fills the gap in the market today. This is a new option for customers who have an increasing need to invest in precious metal mid- to-long-term to buy precious metal on a mid-to-long-term basis via an account. When compared to previous services (trading precious metal via account or buying/selling physical metals), there are many benefits for investors to buy precious metals in fixed amounts at regular intervals via account: amass larger quantities through regular small investments, save time and effort, spread cost and diversify risks. The service is very suitable for investors who wish to buy precious metal mid-to-long-term and willing to assume certain risk, yet cannot afford the time and lack experience to study the precious metal market. Two-way trading of precious metal via account is another choice offered by commercial banks for customers to buy/sell precious metal and gain profit even if the price of precious metal plunges. The service is well-suited to experienced retail investors with high risk appetite, and having certain knowledge about precious metal market. Trading palladium via account adds another category of precious metal to meet the demand of investors to buy/sell different categories of precious metal via account. Palladium and platinum have similar physical properties. Both metals can be used for industrial purposes. Palladium price is relatively low, which does not cost much for new investors but palladium price fluctuations are very common. Another new product of ICBC physical precious metal - dragon gold/silver medallion, not only comes with unique design, but carries the theme of Dragon, the only animal that is legendary in the Chinese zodiac which is the symbol of the Dragon year. Dragon gold/silver medallion is another new choice for those who invest and collect precious metals.

ICBC was the first bank in China engaging in the professional precious metal service in 2009. Since then, ICBC keeps close track of the market demand and embraces innovation on products and services, leveraging its strong technology, extensive network and professional staff. Today, ICBC is the largest bank in China in the offering of precious metal services. In the next step, ICBC will continue the effort to tap into precious metal market given the favorable policy and market conditions. Through product innovation, resource consolidation and service channel expansion, the aim is to offer best-quality products and services to all the investors based on their diversified investment needs.