Capital markets increasingly favor investment banks that can bring financing, advisory and cross-border execution together around a client’s needs. Scale matters, but it only goes so far when transactions span industries, jurisdictions and funding structures. What makes the difference is the ability to pair financial strength with specialist expertise and coordinated execution.

That is the approach Guotai Haitong has been building since its 2025 merger, bringing together resources to help companies navigate capital markets that are becoming more connected.

Integrated Execution

The merger of Guotai Junan Securities and Haitong Securities created an institution with more than RMB2.1 trillion in consolidated assets and RMB330.4 billion in net assets attributable to owners at the end of 2025. Its investment banking business covers IPO sponsorship and underwriting, equity and bond financing, structured debt financing and M&A advisory. The group has also emphasized stronger cross-border management, deeper client coverage and closer coordination across equity, debt and M&A.

The results show the scale of that platform. Investment banking revenue reached RMB4.747 billion in 2025, up 60.21 percent year on year. The firm led 19 domestic IPOs and had 44 IPO applications under review at year-end, both ranking first in the industry. It also completed 37 Hong Kong share placements and handled 431 Chinese offshore bond underwriting projects, representing US$5.333 billion in underwriting volume.

The broader organization adds another layer. In 2025, the group supported equity financing of RMB43.491 billion for 36 technology-focused companies and maintained leading positions in IPO activity on the STAR Market and ChiNext. Its investment banking, research and investment resources can therefore work together around companies at different stages of growth.

  • What makes the difference is the ability to pair financial strength with specialist expertise and coordinated execution.


A Broader Capital Platform

Guotai Haitong’s advantage is not simply its size, but the network behind it. The group operates 44 branches, 640 business offices and 68 futures outlets in mainland China, with an overseas presence spanning 17 countries and regions. Its network includes Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, India and Australia.

That reach matters in APAC, where companies often need access to several markets at once. Haitong International maintains operations across Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, London, Tokyo, Mumbai and Sydney, with corporate finance among its core businesses. Guotai Junan International, based in Hong Kong, connects Chinese and international companies with capital markets and has operations in Singapore and Vietnam.

The strategy goes beyond geographic coverage. Guotai Haitong says it is strengthening cross-border management, deepening sector expertise and expanding M&A and financial advisory capabilities. Its 2026-2028 strategy also emphasizes international competitiveness and stronger post-merger synergies. Ultimately, the value of a large platform depends on how effectively its people, capital and market access are brought together for individual clients.

From Transactions to Impact

In 2025, the group supported 36 technology and innovation-focused companies with RMB43.491 billion in equity financing. Beyond investment banking, it established a science and technology innovation fund matrix approaching RMB70 billion and made more than RMB7.5 billion in new investments across technology companies and funds. These activities show how investment banking can connect with a wider capital ecosystem.

Green finance provides another example. Guotai Haitong’s green bond underwriting volume ranked second in the industry, at RMB65.4 billion. Its green-finance activities cover financing, investment, trading, cross-border services and risk management. The group also reported cumulative carbon-finance trading volume approaching 100 million tons.

The transformation of the group itself into an integrated entity is another proof of this trend. The merger of 2025 entailed transformations at the level of businesses, management and systems, with the company steadily reporting progress up until year-end. In August 2026, Reuters reported that Guotai Haitong was aiming for the privatization of Guotai Junan International, in order to rationalize the group’s international activities after the merger.

For the client, the value of such scale is quite tangible – namely, more financing opportunities, stronger institutions, and more markets available. That becomes especially valuable when one adds the factor of expert analysis and implementation of decisions.

Firms will be in need of raising equity, attracting foreign investors, restructuring ownership or even making acquisitions under different restrictions. A firm able to coordinate all these tasks in different markets will not just be a transactional intermediary, but a reliable financial partner for years to come.

That combination of capital strength, specialist expertise, cross-border reach and coordinated execution gives Guotai Haitong a strong foundation among leading investment banking platforms in APAC in 2026.