On October 23, 2012, ICBC and American Express announced the launch of "ICBC AE Centurion Card", the first Centurion Card (also know as the Black Card) in China. The prestigious world-class Black Card is the first Centurion Card issued by a card issuer in Asia Pacific under the authorization of American Express. For many, the American Express Centurion Card is still the one to have. Cardholders are entitled to a level of services and benefits that can be extended only to selected individuals worldwide. With this launch, credit cards in China will be able to offer better services, more credit card products, more value-added services to cardholders, and build a strong unique brand, said industry insiders.

President Luan Jiansheng of ICBC Peony Card Center said, "The launch of ICBC AE Centurion Card enables ICBC to pull further away from other banks in the offering of innovative services and benefits to cardholders, whilst also setting a trend in China's top-of-the-class card market. The partnership between ICBC and American Express allows Chinese credit card holders to become world-class Centurion members, and access the 'unique' experience that only Centurion members can enjoy".

"Not only American Express Centurion Card is a credit card, but also a card that shows the ultimate status of the holders. The launch of Centurion Card in Asia Pacific by ICBC, the No.1 credit card issuer in Asia, heralds another milestone of our partnership and underscores American Express as the preferred credit card brand by the ultra high-end clients in the world," said Mr. Gu Hualong, the President of American Express Global Services in Asia Pacific. "Today, we let the ultra high-end clients in China to have such a privilege."

The "ICBC AE Centurion Card", jointly launched by ICBC and American Express, offers a suite of "unique" benefits and excellent services including: exclusive "Give whatever you want" concierge services, round-the-clock services and support, advisory services designed for Chinese cardholders who wish to study overseas or emigrate to other countries, "Access to the inaccessible" services, Formula One racing car driving experience, Art Festival VIP services, access to top private clubs around the world. Centurion members are also entitled to "Exceptional global travel" benefits - special travel plan, rental of helicopters or private jets, special arrangement at airports for fast check-out. Other exclusive services are: special discount on international flight ticket, one free night, free room upgrade at Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Okura, Jumeirah and 1100+ top hotels around the world.

ICBC is the world's largest commercial bank by market value, customer deposit and brand value. In China, ICBC has always a strong lead over other banks in credit card services. As of today, ICBC has issued more than 76 million credit cards. Today, ICBC is the world's fourth largest credit card issuer and largest card issuing bank in Asia. While gathering speed on the card issuance volume, ICBC tops the domestic league table in cardholder expenditure amount and overdraft volume. Meanwhile, ICBC continues improving its credit card services and product innovation. ICBC credit card products designed for different customer groups, such as classic credit cards, transport card, social security card, Easy Loan Credit Card, QuickPay Card, are warmly welcomed by all. The "ICBC AE Centurion Card" is another measure of ICBC to enrich credit card offering and upgrade credit card "sophisticated services", besides meeting the need of customers. The unique features and services ensure cardholders to access exclusive, customized and sophisticated credit card services, making Chinese credit cards more competitive in the market.

American Express is a global service company that provides customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Since 1996 American Express has been aggressively pursuing a strategy of opening its merchant network and card product portfolio to third party issuers around the world. By leveraging its global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of the brand, American Express aims to gain even broader reach for its network worldwide. American Express has now established 146 card-issuing partnership arrangements in more than 159 markets. American Express introduced the Centurion Card, the No.1 credit card product in the world, backed by more than a decade of experience serving the super-affluent customer segment, and close cooperation with top-class hotels, resorts, airline companies, restaurants, private clubs, golf clubs around the world. Since its launch in 1999 in UK, "Centurion" brand is well-known worldwide, especially Centurion Card, the Black Card, has cemented itself as being the ultimate status symbol in the credit card world. Right now, Centurion Card is only issued by invitation in 31 markets.