BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Who says banks are just for banking? At a downtown Tianjin branch in northern China, bubbles drift through the lobby as smiling couples arrive hand in hand and leave as newlyweds, turning a place once reserved for financial transactions into the starting point of a lifelong romantic commitment.
Couples are greeted by a lush purple iris floral wall and an oversized clock-shaped selfie spot that proudly declares, "We're Married!"
On its opening day, Aug. 6, newlyweds who received their marriage certificates on-site couldn't hide their delight: "It's romantic, cozy and truly ceremonial. Plus, it's right outside our office -- incredibly convenient."
Co-established by Tianjin's Hexi District Civil Affairs Bureau and the local Postal Savings Bank branch, it is the country's first marriage registry housed in a bank, redefining what customers expect when they walk through the doors.
On their big day, couples receive a free postcard to pen their hopes and promises to each other, before dropping it into the in-store time mailbox. The branch safeguards the postcard for seven years, mailing it back to the couple's address on their wedding anniversary -- a tender reminder that love, like savings, thrives on patience, commitment and daily deposits of care.
But the registry offers far more than certificates and special moments. Newlyweds can also access financial consultations, ranging from family financial planning to home loans for their first nest, while customizing their debit card with their favorite wedding-day photo.
"This new service model marks a fresh attempt by our bank to reach deeper into the community and get closer to the real-life needs of young people," a bank executive said, adding that the branch is striving to create a warm, memorable and supportive space for young couples.
Similar initiatives have been popping up across China since the marriage registration process was simplified in May 2025. The new policy allows residents to register at any qualified civil affairs office nationwide, without the need for a household registration booklet.
The policy shift has since inspired cities and tourist attractions across the country to roll out their own signature registration venues.
At Xingfuba -- a metro station in Feixi County, east China's Anhui Province, whose name sounds like "be happy" in Chinese -- getting married is as easy as getting off the train. The station has already witnessed over 5,700 couples embarking on a new chapter of their lives.
Some tourist spots have gone a step further, turning marriage registration into a travel experience. At Sayram Lake in northwest China's Xinjiang, a registry now sits by the water. And at a theme park in Dalian, northeastern Liaoning Province, couples can tie the knot in a Ferris wheel. Even music festivals have now jumped on the bandwagon as well.
As of May 8 this year, China had set up 525 park-style marriage registration venues and 1,330 outdoor sites for certificate presentation nationwide.
These approaches, experts say, are helping to boost marriage registration numbers, which saw an uptick in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Playing Cupid may be fun, but it also highlights a hard truth for the banking industry, with much of its transactions happening online. With most banking services just a tap away on a phone, what can brick-and-mortar branches offer that a screen can't?
Some banks are already re-imagining their physical presence. In Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, one bank has opened its doors to soccer fans, inviting them to catch local matches, while handing out free city souvenirs and attraction tickets. Another branch in Pu'er, southwestern Yunnan Province, has teamed up with a coffee chain, serving up beverage vouchers alongside banking services.
Meanwhile, the partnership between banks and government affairs is opening up new possibilities. An increasing number of bank outlets are now offering services such as social security, healthcare insurance, tax processing and real-estate registration, turning lobbies into one-stop civic hubs.
The love-themed bank in Tianjin is just one example of this broader shift, and it has won widespread acclaim.
As one Weibo user who goes by the handle Nomihut wrote: "When a marriage registry moves into a bank, we see more than just an innovative way to get a certificate. We see a city that's willing to make room for ordinary people's romance, and to keep reinventing itself for their convenience." ■
