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David Rockefeller 1915-2017, Tientsin and the China Branch of the New York Equitable Banking Corporation

Posted: March 23rd, 2017 | No Comments »

The American banker David Rockefeller died this week. Douglas Red, long time Tianjin resident and himself an American banker in China recalled meeting him and discussing the origins of the Rockefeller family’s banking operations in the city….

‘David Rockefeller was a man for all seasons. As a young Chase officer serving in Asia in the 1980’s and 1990’s I was one of many who were honored to escort David as he met senior Chase clients and world leaders throughout the region. He was a graceful man who showed a personal interest in the lives of the countless number of people who knew him (whose names appeared in his famous Rolodex.) My favorite story took place in 1993 when David visited Tianjin, China to help us launch Chase’s first branch opening in the PRC. Speaking proudly to the Chairman Emeritus, I pointed out the old building on Liberation Road (Victoria Road) in which (I claimed) Chase had opened its first branch in Republican China. David was quick to correct me, sharing, “No, Douglas, you are mistaken. My Daddy opened the China Branch of the New York Equitable Banking Corporation here during a family trip to China in the mid 1920’s.”‘

 

the corner of Victoria Road that marked the divide between the British and French concessions and where the Tientsin (Tianjin) Branch of the New York Equitable Banking Corporation stood



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