Chinese banks are competing hard for bankcard business and they are now targeting female clients.

China Minsheng Banking Corp is hoping to attract more female white-collar workers with a new debit card designed just for them.

Launched in Shanghai yesterday, the card offers its holders discounts at more than 30 boutiques and entertainment places around the city.

"Female customers have stronger spending wishes and the introduction of the card can meet their needs," said Ai Min, vice president of China Minsheng's Shanghai Branch.

Ji Zheqiong, the Chinese mainland marketing manager of home fashion products seller AUSSINO, said: "Female customers in many cities, especially Shanghai, are good at finance and enjoy life. There are lots of opportunities for banks to earn money from fashionable women."

China Minsheng also set a threshold for cardholders to enjoy the discounts.

Only female clients with an account balance exceeding 2,000 yuan (US$241) can buy discounted goods from the bank's partners, said China Minsheng.

"We are targeting comparatively wealthier female clients," said Cheng Hao, general manager of China Minsheng's bankcard department.

However, China Minsheng is not the first domestic lender that issues bankcards designed for women.

Guangdong Development Bank started to issue tailor-made credit cards for women last October.

"The credit card product is part of our efforts to segment the local bankcard market and meet the tastes of different customer groups," said Lu Shifeng, general manager of Guangdong Development's bankcard division.

A survey conducted by Guangdong Bank suggested that 65 per cent of local women earning more than 2,500 yuan a month are interested in applying for a credit card.

In the past few years, many banks reached agreements with various companies to launch cards that offer discounts on airline tickets and insurance, among others.

These special cards are designed not only to win over current bankcard users, but more importantly, to attract potential users as the country's credit market is still in its infancy, said Lu.

At present, only about 10 per cent of retail sales in Shanghai is conducted by customers using bankcards.

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