The Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) increased its outstanding renminbi-denominated savings deposits 295.93 billion yuan (35.7 billion US dollars) in 2004, the biggest rise among the Big Four state banks, it announced Friday.

The ABC's new deposits made up about one-third -- 33.52 percent-- of the combined total of the Big Four, which also include the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China and China Construction Bank.

An ABC bank spokesman said the bank "overcame the negative effects from the huge fund flow into the capital markets, negative interest rates and reduction of business outlets" last year to promote the savings business.

Source: Xinhua