Dalian is home to 300 licensed financial entities, including 267 entities founded by local businesses. The local financial entities mainly cover such operations as financial assets management, scientific and technological financing guarantee and financial services for the agricultural sector.

The Dalian Commodities Exchange, an important futures market in China, reported a transaction volume of 140.5 trillion yuan for 2021, creating a historical high.

The city has also advanced financial innovation related to free trade. It has launched more than 20 innovative financial policies, with some copied by the rest of the province and the country. It has been approved as a pilot for facilitating mobile payment for short-term tourists from Japan and South Korea.

Trade and investment in the Dalian Area of China (Liaoning) Pilot Free Trade Zone has become increasingly convenient, according to local officials.