What is "rishengchang"

The Rishengchang Exchange Shop , located in Pingyao, Shanxi province, China, is considered the first draft bank in China's history. It was founded during the Qing Dynasty (1823). In the nineteenth century, at its peak, it controlled almost half of the Chinese economy and its branches were widespread throughout China's big urbans and capital, Beijing. And in some western and southeastern countries, Rishengchang also owned its branches and offices. A famous Chinese writer named Yu Qiuyu has once stated that Rishengchang is the " rural grandfather " (） of all the modern Chinese banks. The exchange shop is now a museum and in 2006 was included on the List of monuments of the People's Republic of China (6-484).