Bank of Communications (601328.SH, 3328.HKG), China’s fifth-largest lender, announced plans to shore up capital by issuing US$8.9 billion in shares, the world’s biggest share issue since May, Bloomberg reported. The lender will sell shares in both Shanghai and Hong Kong, with the Ministry of Finance and HSBC Holdings (HBC.NYSE, HSBA.LON, 0005.HKG), its two largest shareholders, taking part. The bank will sell 6.54 billion new Shanghai shares to seven shareholders, including the Finance Ministry and China’s National Council for Social Security Fund at RMB4.55 each, and 5.56 billion in new Hong Kong shares to buyers including HSBC, in addition to a secondary placement in Hong Kong. Chinese banks are working to raise their capital to meet new higher requirements following a two-year government-directed lending spree to stimulate the economy.