The top-level domain (TLD) ICBC is highly specific to one entity only: the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
A TLD is part of the domain name on the internet which is located to the right of the dot. For example, in www.google.com, “.com” is the TLD. The domain name system (DNS) of the internet uses TLDs to organize its domains. Basically, TLDs are the highest level of domain names in the root zone of the DNS of the internet. As of October 2020, the root zone of the DNS contains 1518 TLDs, according to data by The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
However, not just anyone can register a domain with the TLD .ICBC. The TLD .ICBC is a brand TLD, and its use is restricted to the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. As per ICANN records, the .ICBC TLD was delegated to the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on 19 December 2015 and the sponsoring organization is listed as Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited.
Brand TLDs are a form of generic top-level domain (gTLD). They came into effect after ICANN, the governing body of the internet’s naming system, opened up the TLD system to allow new, branded entrants. This allows organizations to manage and maintain exclusive use of their brand as a TLD. For example, .google is owned and operated by Google.
ICBC, as one of the largest banks globally, applies the .ICBC brand TLD for its own use, securing its online presence against cyber threats and enabling a more streamlined digital identity. However, in most instances, this does not mean that the bank’s main URL will simply be www.icbc. The TLD provides the opportunity to host different domains under the main brand for various needs. For instance, the bank might have a domain like www.corporate.icbc for its corporate banking division or www.personal.icbc for its personal banking division.
Sources:
1. “Delegation Record for .ICBC.” Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). Accessed August 23, 2021. https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/icbc.html
2. “TLD Application Details.” ICANN. Accessed August 23, 2021. https://gtldresult.icann.org/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1586
3. “Top-Level Domains.” Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Accessed August 23, 2021. https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/tlds-2012-02-25-en
4. “Root Zone Database.” Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). Accessed August 23, 2021. https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db
