China Merchants Bank (CMB) launched a satellite on January16 from Shandong province in eastern China, marking its third such launch following earlier missions in December2024 and March2025.

CMB has said data collected from the satellites can be used to monitor market dynamics, strengthen risk management and provide customers with more targeted financial products and services.

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPDB) also entered orbit on January16, sending its first satellite into space from the same launch site in Shandong.