Bank of Nanjing's two shareholders combined

Bank of Nanjing Co Ltd said on Tuesday that two of its State-controlled shareholders, Zijin Investment Holdings Co Ltd and Nanjing Gaoke Co Ltd have agreed to combine votes as a single shareholder, after BNP Paribas SA raised its stake in Bank of Nanjing to 14.74 percent in December.

The move will strengthen the voting power of State-controlled entities in the Chinese bank, Bank of Nanjing said on Tuesday.

Zijin Investment Holdings Co Ltd and Nanjing Gaoke Co Ltd hold 741 million shares, 24.99 percent of Bank of Nanjing's outstanding shares, the lender said.

Bank of Nanjing Co Ltd said on Monday evening that it confirms BNP Paribas SA's purchase of 61.126 million shares of the Chinese lender, which made it Bank of Nanjing's largest single shareholder.

BNP Paribas SA bought the shares as a qualified foreign institutional investor on the secondary market, according to the statement.

The share price of Shanghai-listed Bank of Nanjing rose 2 percent on Tuesday, closing at 10.25 yuan per share.