New Commerzbank survey

Client interest in renminbi steadily growing in payment transactions
Invoicing of Chinese business in renminbi has benefits
The internationalisation of the renminbi continues

With the increasing integration of China into the global financial system, the renminbi is progressively gaining in significance in Europe. This has been confirmed by a survey of more than 200 companies which was conducted by Commerzbank and the Forsa institute. In 2015 only 25% of the surveyed companies were actively engaged on the topic of renminbi, in 2016 this figure had grown to 33%.

To date 17% of surveyed participants are processing invoices for Chinese business activities in renminbi and a further 16% of the companies surveyed are planning to convert their invoicing next year. The fundamental reasons stated for this move are benefits with price negotiations (56%), the preferences of Chinese trading partners (53%), as well as safeguarding against exchange rate risks (47%) and advantages in market development on the Chinese mainland (41%).

Since the conversion of invoicing to renminbi, primarily standard products have been used. For example, 97% of the surveyed companies process their payment transactions in renminbi, 94% utilise renminbi accounts and a further 67% rely on exchange rate hedging for the purposes of risk management.

“The internationalisation of the renminbi has continued in the past year,” said Michael Rugilo, Asia Expert Corporates & Markets at Commerzbank, adding: “This is despite a downturn in currency reserves and muted growth forecasts for China.”

When safeguarding against exchange rate risks companies generally utilise standard products: the clear leaders, favoured by 80% of companies, are spot exchange transactions and forward exchange transactions. Approximately 50% also use electronic platforms to process their renminbi exchange rate hedging. Renminbi is particularly in demand in the manufacturing sector. China is one of the most important trading partners for importers and exporters, who as part of their trade relationships are progressively utilising the renminbi.

The survey confirmed that Germany’s SME sector uses and recognises the growing and international presence of the renminbi. “Corporate clients are increasingly using risk management products to utilise opportunities in an ever more challenging renminbi market environment or to reduce risks due to higher volatility,” said Martin Keller, Head of Product Management at Commerzbank Mittelstandsbank.

About Commerzbank

Commerzbank is a leading international commercial bank with branches and offices in more than 50 countries. The core markets of Commerzbank are Germany and Poland. With the business areas Private Customers, Mittelstandsbank, Corporates & Markets and Central & Eastern Europe, its private customers and corporate clients, as well as institutional investors, profit from a comprehensive portfolio of banking and capital market services. Commerzbank finances more than 30 per cent of Germany’s foreign trade and is the unchallenged leader in financing for SMEs. With its subsidiaries Comdirect and Poland’s M Bank it owns two of the world’s most innovative online banks. With approximately 1,050 branches and more than 90 advisory centres for business customers Commerzbank has one of the densest branch networks among German private banks. In total, Commerzbank boasts more than 16 million private customers, as well as 1 million business and corporate clients. The Bank, which was founded in 1870, is represented at all the world’s major stock exchanges. In 2015, it generated gross revenues of €9.8 billion with 51,300 employees.