Formerly known as ICBC Urban Finance Research Institute, the Modern Finance Research Institute was founded in 1993. Its organizational framework can be summarized as “One Institute, One Office, One Association, One Postdoctoral Research Center, and Two Journals”, namely the Modern Finance Research Institute, the Office for Deepening Reform, China Modern Financial Society, ICBC Postdoctoral Research Center, alongside two publications - Journal of Modern Finance and Modern Finance Guide. These entities respectively undertake responsibilities including group-level research, reform planning, academic association activities, talent development, and journal development.

I. Research & Investigation: Delivering “ICBC Insights” for Modern Finance

Besides producing substantial research outcomes, the Institute is committed to high quality research supporting the development of a modern financial system and advances reforms of ICBC’s overall research system with a systematic approach. Meanwhile, Digital intelligent technologies power the ICBC Smart Research Platform, a transformative digital driven research tool for the whole Group. This platform was honored as a Demonstration Case for Technology Innovation Services at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).

II. Deepening Reform: Advancing High-Quality Development of a Leading Bank

Focusing on optimizing institutional mechanisms and addressing key areas and critical links, the Office supports the steady advancement of the Bank’s reform and transformation initiatives. It has taken the lead in preparing the Group’s 15th Five-Year Plan, improving the integrated working mechanism for serving the “Five Key Areas of Finance”, strengthening the framework for supporting coordinated regional development, and promoting deeper reforms in key fields.

III. Academic Association: Building a Leading Financial Think Tank with High Standards

The China Modern Financial Society, is a national, academic, and non-profit social organization initiated by ICBC, dedicated to research in financial theory and applied financial sciences. In recent years, the Society has fully implemented the CPC Central Committee’s deployment to develop new-type think tanks with Chinese characteristics and the requirements of the Party Committee of ICBC Headquarters to deepen the reform of its research system. Committed to building a world-class think tank, it has earned recognition from regulatory authorities and all sectors of society.

IV. Talent Development: Building a First-Class Postdoctoral Research Center

Established in 2002, the ICBC Postdoctoral Research Center was among the first postdoctoral research centers founded by commercial banks in China. It has been recognized as a National Outstanding Postdoctoral Research centers three times. Since its inception, the center has fostered over 150 postdoctoral researchers, providing ICBC with a robust pipeline of top-tier talent. Many of these researchers possess academic backgrounds in fields such as mathematical statistics and computer science, contributing to a multidisciplinary talent pool to serve the high-quality development of China’s financial sector.

V. Journal Development: Enhancing Quality and Accelerating Transformation

Journal of Modern Finance is the official journal of the China Modern Financial Society. Founded in 1996, it is indexed in multiple authoritative academic evaluation systems. Its composite impact factor has maintained continuous growth for 13 consecutive years, giving it significant influence within the financial research community.

Modern Finance Guide, positioned as a practical financial research journal, was founded in 1987. It has continuously reinforced its function as an important platform for exchanging outstanding research achievements and cutting-edge ideas in economics and finance. With its professional quality and industry influence rising steadily, the jounal was selected for the Fine Jounals Exhibition at the 2025 Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF).