Intermediary business-refers to the business activities in which commercial banks, on the basis of asset business and liability business, use the advantages of technology, information, institutional network, capital and reputation as intermediaries and agents to handle entrusted matters such as payment, consultation, agency, guarantee and lease for customers, provide various financial services and charge a certain fee. In two traditional businesses, asset business and liability business, banks participate as a party to credit activities; Intermediate business is different. Banks no longer directly act as a party to credit activities, but only play the role of intermediary or agent, and usually implement paid services.
Intermediate business is also called off-balance sheet business. At present, the intermediary business of commercial banks mainly includes local and foreign currency settlement, bank card, letter of credit, standby letter of credit, bill guarantee, loan commitment, derivative financial instruments, agency business and consulting business. In foreign countries, the intermediary business of commercial banks has developed quite maturely. The intermediary business income of American, Japanese and British commercial banks accounts for about 40% of the total income, while the off-balance-sheet business scale of Chinese commercial banks generally accounts for more than 15% of their total assets.