Zhang Yun (banker)
Zhang Yun | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Dali County, Shaanxi, China |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, banking executive |
| Years active | 1985–2015 |
| Known for | President of Agricultural Bank of China (2009–2015) |
Zhang Yun (; born May 1959) is a Chinese economist and banking executive who led the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) as president from January 2009 until December 2015. Alongside his presidency, he served as vice-president and held the position of Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Committee within ABC. In November 2015, Zhang was detained by authorities investigating corruption during the widespread anti-graft initiative spearheaded by CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping, which targeted officials across various sectors including government, military, and party leadership. His predecessor, Xiang Junbo, was also dismissed due to corruption charges. Zhang’s career at ABC spanned over three decades, during which he advanced to vice-chairman before assuming the roles of president and CCP Deputy Committee Secretary in 2009, making him one of the most prominent banking figures caught up in this crackdown.
Biography
Born in May 1959 in Dali County, Shaanxi, Zhang graduated from Lanzhou University in January 1982 with a degree in political economics. He furthered his education through part-time studies at South China Agricultural University and Wuhan University. Beginning his career at the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) in July 1985, Zhang held multiple senior positions including assistant president of the Shenzhen branch, vice-president of the Guangdong branch, and president of the Guangxi branch. ABC is recognized as one of China's four major state-owned banks and is ranked by S&P Global as the third-largest bank worldwide with assets totaling $2.7 trillion. In March 2001, Zhang advanced to assistant president of ABC and was promoted to vice-president within nine months. He succeeded Xiang Junbo as president and CCP Deputy Committee Secretary of ABC in January 2009. Following the initiation of Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign in November 2015, Zhang was subjected to investigation and subsequently resigned in December.