The approval came after BlackRock [BLK.N] and Fidelity International become the first two global asset manager licensed to start a wholly owned China mutual fund business in June and August.

In a statement on its website, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said that Neuberger Berman's new China company has registered capital of 150 million yuan ($23.20 million).

($1 = 6.4642 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Alison Williams)