Quick Guide Tips for Checking Financial Licenses

How to Quickly and Effectively Check Financial Licenses A Practical Guide and Tips

In today’s complex and ever-changing financial market, choosing a formal and reliable financial institution or platform is particularly important. Whether you're making investments, applying for loans, or handling routine banking matters, verifying whether the other party holds a valid financial license is the first step in protecting your own rights and interests. With the rapid development of internet finance, various financial services are constantly emerging. However, illegal fundraising and fraudulent platforms are also common. Mastering effective methods to verify financial licenses not only helps avoid risks but also enhances your understanding of the financial market.

1. What is a Financial License and Why is it Important?

A financial license is a permit issued by national financial regulatory authorities-such as the People's Bank of China PBOC, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission CBIRC, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission CSRC-that allows a company to engage in specific financial activities. It is not only a prerequisite for legal operation but also a key basis for regulators to manage the institution’s scope of business, fund safety, and compliance.

Take a recent news case as an example In October 2025, a well-known online lending platform was ordered to suspend operations and came under investigation for operating without the required financial license. This incident once again reminds the public that verifying the legal qualifications of financial service providers is essential to avoid legal disputes or financial losses.

2. Common Types of Financial Licenses

Depending on the type of financial activity, the following are some of the most common financial licenses

Banking licenses Required for commercial banks, rural township banks, and foreign banks, approved by the CBIRC.

Securities licenses Required for securities firms, fund management companies, and futures companies, approved by the CSRC.

Insurance licenses Required for insurance and reinsurance companies, also regulated by the CBIRC.

Payment licenses Third-party payment platforms must obtain a Payment Business License issued by the PBOC.

Fund sales licenses Institutions engaged in public fund sales must register with the CSRC.

Local financial institutions Such as small loan companies and leasing companies, usually approved by local financial regulators.

Each type of license corresponds to specific regulatory requirements and business scopes. Understanding these helps you make more informed decisions when choosing a financial product or service.

3. How to Quickly Check Financial Licenses

Below are several common and effective methods to verify financial licenses

1. Official Regulatory Authority Websites

This is the most authoritative and direct method. Each financial regulator maintains an official website listing licensed institutions.

CBIRC website http//www.cbirc.gov.cn/ For checking banks, insurance companies, trusts, and financial leasing companies.

CSRC website http//www.csrc.gov.cn/ For checking securities firms, fund companies, and listed companies.

PBOC website http//www.pbc.gov.cn/ For checking payment institutions and credit reporting agencies.

For example, if you want to verify whether a payment platform is legitimate, you can visit the PBOC website, navigate to the list of non-bank payment institutions, and search by the platform’s name.

2. National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System

This system is maintained by the State Administration for Market Regulation at http//www.gsxt.gov.cn/. By entering a company’s name, you can check its business registration information, including whether its business scope includes financial activities and whether it has any administrative penalties.

Note that a business license does not equate to a financial license. Some companies may list financial services in their registered scope but haven’t actually obtained regulatory approval. Therefore, further verification through other channels is necessary.

3. Third-Party Authoritative Platforms

Professional financial information platforms or enterprise information tools such as Tianyancha , Qichacha , and Qixinbao also offer convenient enterprise qualification checks. These platforms typically aggregate publicly available data and can quickly show a company’s shareholder structure, registered capital, branches, and judicial risks.

However, when using such tools, prioritize versions that update frequently and clearly cite data sources to avoid relying on outdated or unverified information.

4. Official Announcements and Media Reports

Regulatory authorities often publish lists of newly approved financial licenses or reports on non-compliant entities. Staying updated with such announcements helps you stay informed about industry developments.

For example, in the second half of 2025, the CBIRC published a batch of approvals for newly established rural township banks. Such information is valuable for investors assessing the legitimacy of local financial institutions. Mainstream financial media, such as the Economic Daily, Securities Times, and First Financial Daily, also report on major regulatory developments and serve as important supplementary sources.

4. Key Points to Keep in Mind When Checking Financial Licenses

Despite the availability of multiple channels, the following points should be noted during the verification process

1. Confirm the full legal name of the entity Some companies may use abbreviations or similar names to mislead users. Always verify the complete registered name.

2. Distinguish between subsidiaries and parent companies Subsidiaries of large financial groups may have separate licenses and should be checked individually.

3. Check the license validity period Some financial licenses have expiration dates. Operating without renewal after expiration is considered illegal.

4. Be cautious of fake license claims Some illegal institutions may forge or exaggerate their license credentials. It’s advisable to cross-check information from multiple sources.

5. Conclusion

In any financial activity, the first step in protecting yourself is to verify whether the other party holds legal qualifications. Using the methods outlined above, you can efficiently and effectively check financial licenses. Whether you're an individual investor, entrepreneur, or corporate manager, mastering this skill will provide strong support for risk avoidance and rational decision-making.