CITIC Bank shares are expected to begin trading later this month

The move by China's seventh biggest bank follows similar lucrative share listings by Chinese banking groups.

Global investors are increasingly keen to gain access to China's soaring economy through share listings.

CITIC Bank's market debut is set to be the biggest stock sale by a Chinese bank since October 2006.

"It will be a hot one," said Ben Kwong of KGI Asia. "Investors still believe that there's upside."

The bank, which is 80%-owned by Beijing-controlled conglomerate China International Trust and Investment Corp, is expected to begin trading on the Shanghai and Hong Kong exchanges on 27 April.

CITIC Bank has forecast a 53% rise in 2007 net profits to 5.7bn yuan, from 3.7bn yuan last year.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the country's largest lender, last year raised $21.9bn from its dual listing in Shanghai and Hong Kong.