A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 234 Banker

Heading west along the Huangpu River, Sichuan Road looms overhead, nestled between Nanjing Road and Beijing Road, marking Shanghai's Ningbo Road. Lined with banks and money houses, this road boasts a thriving financial sector, earning it the nickname "China's Wall Street."

Chen Guangliang is standing on the land at No. 52 Ningbo Road, communicating with architectural designer Zhuang Jun about the design drawings.

As a real estate tycoon, he possesses extensive architectural knowledge, making him a somewhat difficult figure to approach in the market. However, after nearly a month of planning and design, a preliminary plan has been finalized.

The Ping An Bank Building is located at the corner of Jiangxi Middle Road and Ningbo Road. The land plan is the intersection of two narrow rectangles.

Based on this terrain, the building uses the high tower in the center and the symmetrical design to weaken the narrowness of the plot. It can be said that "the high tower stands tall, reaching the clouds, dominating the north-south avenue, and is even more spectacular."

The building, with a total height of seven stories, is a modernist style, with a narrow rectangular floor plan, extending from east to west and narrowing from north to south. The exterior is primarily clad in plain concrete, emphasizing vertical lines for a clean, simple look. Art Deco elements are featured on some walls and corners.

Starting from the fifth floor, it rises into a two-story tower with stepped terraces (that is, most of it is five stories, and the middle is seven stories). The top of the tower has broken windows and geometric decorations, forming a visual center.

The main entrance, a double-height black marble door with a majestic design and beautiful balustrades, is eye-catching. The interior of the bank is luxuriously decorated, with a floor of 12-inch pink marble bordered by black marble, creating a striking contrast between light and dark. The ceiling is painted golden yellow, reflecting light and making it even more pleasing to the eye.

At the end of the discussion, Zhuang Jun said, "Mr. Chen, the construction cost is only about 350,000 yuan, and the construction period is eight to ten months without any problem!"

The construction cost was slightly lower than expected, mainly because the land area is only 1200 square meters, and floors 1 to 5 are about 800 square meters each, and floors 6 to 7 are about 200 square meters, for a total construction area of ​​only 4600 square meters; secondly, prices have been falling in recent years, and the prices of building materials have also fallen.

The total cost of the land and construction is 75, but there is also an expensive tax, which is the main source of income for the Municipal Council.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Well, Ping An Bank will officially open this month. It's a very good thing to be able to move in within ten months."

"Congratulations," Zhuang Jun said, "I'll definitely come to support you when the time comes!"

The two have been friends for many years, and Jincheng Shopping Center can be said to be a "cooperation" between the two.

"Thank you very much"

Naturally, his initial bank deposits were mainly from friends and relatives, as well as the four major first-tier companies under his control.

After chatting for a while, the final design plan will be released in three days. As for the construction company, it has been found and it will be undertaken by Zhang Yutai Construction Factory.

In short, Chen Guangliang had only one request - fast.

After all, the bank building is a guarantee of a bank's credibility. Without a head office, it is difficult for those individual depositors to trust the bank.

Thursday, March 11th.

Ping An Bank officially opened, and Chen Guangliang's friends came to show their support, including Yu Qiaqing, Fang Jiaobo, Xie Hengmi, Yu Zuoting, Yuan Ludeng, Liu Hongsheng, Zhang Yuanji and other members of the Ningbo Gang, as well as Chen Guangfu, Zhuang Zhujiu, Sheng Qi and other members of the Jiangsu Gang, as well as some relatives and friends, such as relatives of the Yan family, and Chen Guangliang's old friend Zhu Guangsheng, etc.

Not only did everyone come to celebrate the opening, but they also brought in "deposit" businesses. My father-in-law Yan Zhiduo alone was prepared to deposit 500,000 yuan.

People like Chen Guangfu, Liu Hongsheng, and Du Yuesheng were originally bankers, but they had a very good relationship with each other and deposited a symbolic amount of money.

Especially Chen Guangfu. Some time ago, the "Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank" suffered a bank run. It is said that Song Zaiwen instructed Du Yuesheng to spread rumors that a certain cooperative salt company suffered huge losses due to floods, and implicated the cooperative Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank. At this time, Chen Guangliang did not add insult to injury. Instead, he allowed Chen Guangfu to use the more than 100 million yuan deposited in this bank at the critical moment, and expressed his support in public opinion.

Of course, as the 'Morgan' of the Chinese banking industry, Chen Guangfu had deep relationships with the heads of the Bank of China and the China Construction Bank. Therefore, the heads of these two state-owned banks carried out the rescue regardless of Song Zaiwen's wishes.

However, after this incident, the Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank also lost 3600 million in deposits and its reputation was also hit.

Everyone followed Chen Guangliang to the head office to make deposits and visit.

Chen Guangfu saw the clue immediately and said, "Hey, there are female employees. It seems that this is another innovative measure of Guangliang?"

Chen Guangliang immediately introduced the solution with a smile: "Female staff members serve as 'business consultants' at the door. This helps customers understand the procedures as soon as they enter the bank, improving efficiency. Furthermore, female staff members don't put customers under pressure and are more approachable."

Everyone smiled, but not everyone agreed with the idea.

After all, many people in this era are relatively feudal and think that it is disrespectful if you entertain them with a woman.

But Chen Guangliang doesn't care. What he wants is social progress and civilization.

Of course, female entrepreneurs had already established a women's bank, the Shanghai Women's Commercial and Savings Bank. Founded in 20 by Yan Shuhe and Xie Yaozhilian, the bank raised 13 yuan. The bank's founding was supported by many prominent women, including Yan Shuhe, director of the Women's Department of the Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank; Ou Tan Huiran, wife of Ou Bin, general manager of Sincere Company; Zhang Mojun, a pioneer of the modern women's movement; and Huang Qiongxian, one of the founders of the Chinese Medical Association.

Chen Guangfu expressed his support, saying, "This is a great idea. Not only does it improve services, it also promotes gender equality."

Chen Guangliang said politely: "These are just small measures. Compared with the services of big banks, we still have a lot to learn."

As an authority in the industry, Chen Guangfu has witnessed two of his good friends, Chen Guangliang and Liu Hongsheng, establish banks this month.

At this time, he also evaluated the two people in his mind and came to a conclusion - Chen Guangliang's bank would be the best. The reason is:

First, the 100 million yuan that Liu Hongsheng used to start a bank was borrowed from his Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank by mortgaging his company building. On the other hand, although Chen Guangliang also started a bank with a capital of 100 million yuan, it was obvious that his own company had very little debt and also had a rich reserve of capital. He was one of the entrepreneurs he had met who could come up with the most cash.

Second, Chen Guangliang’s level in finance is higher than that of Liu Hongsheng, who is just an industrialist.

Therefore, the Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank under his control needs to maintain a good relationship with Ping An Bank and strengthen its "repo" business.

The so-called "repos" refers to loans between banks, which is quite normal in the Shanghai financial circle.

At night.

Chen Guangliang worked overtime and held a meeting with the management of Ping An Bank.

Manager Xia Gaoxiang said, "Today, our deposits are 122 yuan (the deposits from the four major companies have not yet arrived). The largest depositor is Mr. Yan Zhiduo. Our first commercial loan is to Times Pictures, for 3252 yuan."

Ye Ximing then expressed his opinion: "Our top priority is to attract more deposits from retail investors and to make reasonable loans."

As for banks, people need to pay interest when they deposit money, so they need to lend money out;

The normal loan-to-deposit ratio can be controlled at 40% to 60%. If there is strong guarantee and strength, the loan-to-deposit ratio can be between 70% and 80%.

Chen Guangliang also took the opportunity to offer two suggestions: "Regarding attracting retail deposits, I have a plan. We'll offer gifts at the designated interest rates of the Banking Association. For example, if you deposit 100 yuan for one year, we'll give you a bag of rice. If you deposit 200 yuan for one year, we'll give you something like soybean oil. We'll also proactively distribute promotional ads in wealthy communities and set up consultation offices there."

The interest rates for retail investors are lower than those for large investors, which is an advantage. Furthermore, large investors are more likely to trust large banks, so Ping An Bank should prioritize retail deposits, accumulating small amounts into large ones. Qin Bohou, the savings department manager, took notes as he said, "This is a brilliant idea! We'll organize the plan immediately. I know Xincheng Garden is a large, wealthy community, so we'll be the first to attract deposits there. We'll also put up posters at both branches to promote this initiative."

Everyone agreed, this boss really is constantly coming up with new tricks.

Chen Guangliang then offered another piece of guidance: "Regarding lending, the best collateral is, of course, the road and house deeds of the concessions. Industrial and commercial goods and commodities can also be considered collateral. For these mortgage loans, the proportion should be controlled. I think it should be maintained at 40% for now."

Wang Yaxin, the loan manager, immediately said, "This loan-to-deposit ratio is too low. We can hardly pay the interest. Isn't this being too cautious?"

Chen Guangliang said: "When I say the initial stage, the key is for us to gain a firm foothold first."

Wang Yaxin nodded and said, "Okay."

Later, Chen Guangliang added, "Loans are only part of the bank's income. Later, our bank will also enter the government bond market to buy at the bottom and establish a real estate trust department. Of course, we will do this step by step."

He has to supervise Ping An Bank's lending situation recently, especially the industrial and commercial and real estate mortgages in Zhabei. He will treat them with caution and cannot let down his guard in the next two or three months.

As for the government bond market, it has fallen sharply since the September 918th Incident, but it is far from the time to buy the bottom; wait until after the January 1932th Incident to take the opportunity to buy the bottom. After all, the economic development of the Republic of China was relatively good and the political situation was relatively stable during the period from 1937 to .

As for real estate trusts, this also requires careful investment and only concessions can be considered.

After the meeting, Chen Guangliang arranged a taxi to take everyone home.

The opening of Ping An Bank itself has "commercial attributes". After publicity in newspapers and posters, it immediately attracted the support of many depositors.

After all, Ping An Bank is backed by the big man Chen Guangliang, the "Shanghai tycoon", "Chinese industrialist", "legendary entrepreneur" and "business economics expert", so it has very high popularity.

Therefore, the two branches have been steadily absorbing deposits from the society. This alone absorbs more than Liu Hongsheng's Hua Xia Corporate Bank.

soon.

Ping An Bank's "street runners" moved into the large community of Xincheng Garden, built a platform at the main entrance of the community, and put up posters.

"Ping An Bank, small fixed deposit with an annual interest rate of 6%. Deposit 100 yuan for a year and receive five kilograms of new rice."

A couple quickly spotted the Ping An Bank poster and asked with great interest, "Ping An Bank, which bank are you from?"

Currently, there are foreign banks and Chinese banks in the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Chinese banks are divided into northern banks and southern banks, and southern banks are further divided into Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai banks and Guangdong banks. The financial industry is very developed.

"It's a local bank registered in Shanghai. Its founder is the industrialist and tycoon Mr. Chen Guangliang, who developed this house."

"So it's Mr. Chen. He also opened a bank. If I had known earlier, I would have gone to patronize him!"

He spoke as if he knew her.

"Why don't you take a look? Our bank is very strong. We are building the head office building at No. 52 Ningbo Road, and we have strong financial strength." The street vendor introduced enthusiastically.

Ping An Bank attaches great importance to "street runners" and will gradually grant them some authority - accepting deposits and issuing loans. Of course, the street runners here must be senior and experienced.

However, the "street runners" who are now coming out to absorb retail deposits are basically "street runners" trained by Ping An Bank itself, and they do not have the authority to lend money.

"That's great! The interest rate seems to be higher than other banks, and they also give away rice and oil. It's a great deal."

"Then let's try to deposit money with Ping An Bank. This bank sounds trustworthy just by the name."

The activity of giving away rice and oil is equivalent to indirectly raising interest rates, and it does not "offend peers"; more importantly, many people will obediently send their capital to Ping An Bank because of this small profit.

With a steady influx of funds deposited into Ping An Bank, the business is back on track.

"Boss, when Zhou Xiangsheng from Xiangsheng Taxi Company learned that we were planning to sell 50 cars, he wanted to buy them all at 8500 yuan per car," Liang Mengqi reported calmly.

Why didn't he just refuse?
Naturally, I think this matter can be discussed.

After hearing this, Chen Guangliang did not strongly object, but instead began to study the finances of Changjiang Taxi.

"Assuming these vehicles are put into operation for one year and priced at 10000 yuan, how much of the cost have we earned back?"

Liang Mengqi immediately said, "We calculated the bill for this batch of cars. The 50 cars generated a gross profit of about 16.5 yuan."

The so-called 'gross profit' is not 'net profit'. It is equivalent to revenue minus direct expenses such as drivers and fuel costs, but some hidden expenses have not yet been taken into account - including other staff and office expenses.

The profit level is not high, and the rate of return is in the range of 10~15%.

This further strengthened Chen Guangliang's determination to sell. After all, keeping 220 cars is enough to cope with the next market.

“How are they going to pay for it, and are they able to pay for it?”

Liang Mengqi said: "As the second largest Chinese-owned taxi company, Xiangsheng Automobile currently has a fleet of 130 vehicles. Zhou Xiangsheng mainly expanded through IPOs, and his own equity is not high. Funding should not be a problem for this purchase."

Don’t worry if there are any problems, just take it back and you can get a down payment.

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "If he wants it, throw it to him."

It was a normal business activity, and there was no such thing as Chen Guangliang trying to trick Zhou Xiangsheng.

Chen Guangliang himself was expecting Tailai and Yunfei to acquire the company, but he did not expect that foreigners were more cautious in doing business. Taking into account the Great Depression, the two taxi companies have been reducing their business.

"Ok"

This batch of cars made some money for Changjiang Taxi, but not much.

The main thing is that we went through a period of development and attracted a lot of business, which can be considered a credit.

(End of this chapter)