Banco Well Link, S.A. is an important pillar of Macau's financial market, excelling in local and cross-border financial services with its bridging spirit of "connecting customers and helping them succeed". Founded in 1996 as the Asian branch of Novo Banco in Portugal, it was renamed Well Link Bank in October 2017 and is headquartered at Nos. 13-15, 11th Floor, Bank of China Tower, Macau. As part of Well Link Financial Group, the bank is chaired by internationally renowned banker Zhang Shengman, and its shareholders include investors from countries along the Belt and Road and Portugal. Serving local and regional customers, Yonglian Bank has become an important financial link between China and Portuguese-speaking countries with its expertise in retail banking, corporate finance and cross-border financial services.
Bank Basic InformationWell
Link Bank is a commercial bank, non-state-owned or joint venture, established in 1996 and headquartered at Nos. 13-15, 11th Floor, Bank of China Tower, Macau. Formerly the Asian branch of Novo Banco in Portugal, the bank was renamed Well Link Bank in 2017 and is part of Well Link Financial Group, which covers banking, insurance and securities. Well Link Bank is strictly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM) and is required to comply with international financial standards to ensure operational transparency and the safety of customer funds. Its deposits are protected by the Macau Deposit Protection Scheme, with a maximum protection amount of MOP1 million per depositor. The bank's SWIFT code is LUSOMOMX and the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is 30030056P5BEUFIKLS38, reflecting its normative nature in the global financial system. Well Link Bank has established correspondent banking relationships with nearly 200 banks and enjoys a good reputation at home and abroad.
Deposit & Loan Products
depositsWell Link Bank offers a variety of deposit products to meet the savings needs of individual and corporate customers:
demand deposits: Including checking accounts and savings accounts, the minimum opening amount is HKD 500 or equivalent currency, and the base annualized rate of return (APY) is about 0.025%, please consult the bank directly to confirm the latest interest rate.
Time deposit: Support 12 currencies such as HKD, USD, RMB, etc., with deposit tenors ranging from 7 days to 24 months, and the minimum deposit amount is HKD 10,000. During the 2025 promotion period, the fixed deposit interest rate can be up to 3%, which can be enquired through online banking or branches.
Featured products:
High Yield Savings Accounts: such as the "Handle Financial Needs Immediately" account, which offers up to 3% APR and is suitable for customers who are looking for high returns.
Large Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Support flexible tenors, suitable for customers with large amounts of funds, and the interest rate needs to be queried through the branch or app. Customers can check the "Cloud Interest Rate" offer through Well Link Bank Mobile App or Internet Banking, and the deposit products support instant opening and interest rate calculation, and some products are integrated with the services of Wing Link Financial Group to enhance convenience.
loansWell
Link Bank provides a comprehensive range of loan products, covering housing loans, car loans and personal credit loans to meet diversified financing needs:
Car Loan: Support new and used car financing, with a loan amount of up to HK$3 million, a term of up to 60 months, an annualized interest rate (APR) as low as 1.88%, and a good credit history required.
Personal Line of Credit: includes personal instalment loan (APR as low as 1.88%, amount up to HK$3 million) and asset-backed overdraft (up to 95% of the collateral market value), the application threshold is a monthly salary of more than HK$20,000 or proof of assets.
Flexible repayment options: Mortgage and personal loans offer no penalty for early repayment, weekly or bi-weekly payment plans, and reborrowing of overdraft facilities, giving customers the flexibility to manage their debts. All loans are subject to bank approval, the "Rule of 78" is used to calculate the interest and principal ratio, and the customer is required to provide credit history and financial documents, the specific terms of which are subject to the loan agreement. Banks' trade finance services, such as letters of credit and trade loans, provide additional support to cross-border businesses.
Mortgages: Fixed and variable rate mortgages are available for up to 70% of the value of the property and are repaid over a period of up to 30 years. In 2025, the floating rate is based on HIBOR (1-month HIBOR +1.5%) or Prime Rate (5.0%-2.5%), with cash rebates and insurance discounts, subject to bank consultation.
Digital Service ExperienceWell
Link Bank's mobile banking app "Well Link Bank Mobile" is the core of its digital services, which is available for download on iOS 14.0 and above and Android 9.0 and above, with an App Store rating of about 4.4 and a Google Play rating of about 4.2, with users praising its intuitive design and quick response. Core features include:
Face recognition: supports biometric authentication (such as Face ID and Touch ID), combined with strong encryption technology to ensure transaction security.
Real-time transfers: Support instant transfers in Hong Kong dollars and RMB through the Faster Payment System (FPS), with a daily limit of up to 500,000 Hong Kong dollars, international remittances covering more than 100 countries, and cooperate with platforms such as Wise to provide low-rate transfers.
Bill management: Support online bill payment, automatic deduction and e-statement, and classify transaction records in real time.
Investment Tool Integration: Support stocks, funds, bonds, and unit trust transactions, providing real-time market data and investment advisory services. The online banking platform supports multiple browsers and provides similar functions, allowing customers to open an account in 5 minutes through the app or official website. In April 2025, the application will be upgraded to version 3.0, adding four new service sections: "Management, Investment, Life, and Branch" to optimize the user experience. The app supports accessibility features and is compatible with the needs of visually impaired and hearing-impaired customers. Some users reported that international remittance fees are high, but banks continue to optimize the application experience.
Technological InnovationWell
Link Bank actively explores in the field of financial technology, combined with the technical resources of Well Link Financial Group, to promote digital transformation:
AI customer service: Introduce an AI-driven customer service system to analyze transaction behavior and detect fraud risks in real time. A virtual assistant is planned to be launched in 2025 to support 24/7 inquiries and financial advice.
Robo-advisor: Provide AI-based investment management services through Well Link Invest, recommend diversified funds and stock portfolios according to customers' risk appetite, with a minimum investment of HK$1,000 and no subscription fees.
Open Banking API Support: Complying with the Open Banking Framework of the Monetary Authority of Macao, integrating with third-party service providers to provide account management and financial service interoperability, especially in the areas of trade finance and cross-border payments.
Other innovations: Support for QR code payments, mobile check deposits, and the eTradeConnect platform to simplify trade finance applications. In 2024, banks will invest US$50 million to upgrade their digital platforms and strengthen cross-border payment and investment services.
Featured Services and DifferentiationWell
Link Bank is known for its cross-border financial capabilities and localized services:
Financial bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries: as a financial link between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Supporting international remittance and trade finance (such as letters of credit and trade loans) in more than 100 countries, providing efficient solutions for importers and exporters and cross-border enterprises in Macao.
SME support: Provide customized corporate loans and cash management services, participate in the SME Financing Guarantee Program of the Monetary Authority of Macao, and approve loans in as fast as 10 seconds, with an amount of up to HK$3 million.
Green Finance: Launching green bonds and preferential interest rate loans to support environmentally friendly projects, such as microfinance schemes in countries along the Belt and Road, to promote sustainable economic development.
Wealth Management: Provide individual pension funds, unit trusts and insurance products, integrate with the global investment market, and provide high-net-worth customers with diversified choices.
Financial Education: Hold a financial knowledge seminar on "Little Bankers, Big Dreams for the Future" to improve young people's financial literacy and cultivate correct financial management concepts.
Market Position & AccoladesBridge
Bank is one of the major commercial banks in Macau, with a solid retail network and total assets of approximately MOP12.5 billion in 2023, ranking among the top 29 banks in Macau in terms of deposits, loan balances and after-tax profits. Its parent company, Well Link Financial Group, is headquartered in China Merchants Tower, Central, Hong Kong, and provides strong support to banks. In 2023, Well Link Bank was awarded the "Macau Fintech Innovation Award" in recognition of its outstanding performance in customer service and digital transformation. The bank's asset quality is maintained at the best level, its risk management framework is internationally recognised, and its parent company, Well Link Financial Group, has a good reputation in the regional financial markets. Well Link Bank's solid financial performance and regional presence make it a key pillar of Macau's financial market.
SummaryWell
Link Bank Limited is a commercial bank of Macau established in 1996 and is known for its sound operation and focus on local and cross-border financial services with the support of Well Link Financial Group. The bank offers a wide range of deposit and loan products, including high-yield savings accounts, fixed deposits, and flexible mortgages and personal loans, to meet the diverse needs of customers. In terms of digital services, the Well Link Bank Mobile app has been well received for its efficient real-time transfer and investment management features. Technological innovations, including biometric authentication, QR code payments, and open banking API support, demonstrate its commitment to digital transformation. With its role as a financial bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and industry accolades in 2023, Well Link Bank continues to demonstrate strong competitiveness and influence in the financial markets of Macau and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
