China’s National Financial Regulatory Administration has published interim measures establishing a foundational supervisory framework for commercial banks’ custody business, aiming to standardise market practices and strengthen risk management as custody activity expands and custody assets diversify. The measures set out the definition of commercial bank custody business and the basic principles for conducting it, and specify the requirements banks must meet to provide custody services. They require banks to build sound governance arrangements and management systems for custody activities and to provide custody services that match their capabilities and service levels. The framework also strengthens ongoing supervisory tools, enforcement and penalties, regulatory data reporting, and self-regulatory arrangements, and is intended to clarify the scope and operating norms of custody business while supporting areas such as asset management. The authority indicated it will continue to press commercial banks to improve operational management and risk prevention capabilities to promote orderly and high-quality development of custody business.