Pawnshops re-emerge with friendlier look (3)

But the pawnshop was able to give him money a few minutes after it verified he owned an apartment.

"Efficiency, convenience, flexibility and customized service make pawnshops a sometimes preferred financial channel for individuals and enterprises," Beijing's Huaxia Pawnshop deputy general manager Yang Jingkun says.

Huaxia has grown to become one of China's biggest pawnshops since its 1993 founding. Its 21 Beijing branches offer evening services.

The re-emergence of pawnshops is relatively new. They were banned from New China's founding until 1989, when their renaissance began.

The first new pawnshops were located near hospitals or in communities and mainly accepted gold jewelry or household appliances, Yang says.

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