Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Buy" [2] Core Insights - The report provides a comprehensive analysis of 127 regional banks in Jiangsu Province, highlighting their asset and liability structures, profitability, and asset quality [6][18] - Jiangsu's regional banks have shown a significant increase in asset growth, with major city commercial banks growing at 19.4%, surpassing the growth of listed city commercial banks at 14.2% [24][26] - The report indicates that the loan-to-asset ratio for city commercial banks is projected to reach 48.4% in 2024, reflecting a gradual increase in lending activities [30] - Jiangsu's regional banks exhibit better return on assets (ROA) compared to listed banks, with city commercial banks outperforming by 16 basis points and rural commercial banks by 9 basis points [6][42] - The asset quality of Jiangsu's regional banks is superior to that of listed banks, with lower non-performing loan ratios and higher provision coverage ratios [6][42] Summary by Sections 1. Economic Structure of Jiangsu Province - Jiangsu Province is focusing on new industrialization and strategic emerging industries, with significant contributions from cities like Nanjing and Suzhou [13][14] 2. Overview of 127 Regional Banks in Jiangsu - The report categorizes the banks into city commercial banks, rural commercial banks, and others, with a total of 127 banks established between 2006 and 2015 [18][20] 3. Asset/Liability Structure - The asset growth of major city commercial banks is accelerating, while rural commercial banks are experiencing a decline in growth rates [24][26] - The loan-to-asset ratio for city commercial banks is expected to increase to 48.4% by 2024, indicating a shift towards more lending [30] 4. Profitability - Jiangsu's regional banks have a higher ROA compared to listed banks, with city commercial banks showing a 16 basis point advantage [6][42] 5. Asset Quality/Capital Levels - Jiangsu's regional banks maintain a lower non-performing loan ratio compared to listed banks, with city commercial banks having a 30 basis point lower ratio [6][42]

Core Viewpoint - Qilu Bank's Yantai Zhaoyuan Branch has been fined for inflating loan business scale, highlighting regulatory scrutiny in the banking sector [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions - Qilu Bank's Yantai Zhaoyuan Branch was fined 250,000 yuan for the violation of inflating loan business scale [1][2]. - The branch's former president, Yu Shihao, received a warning from the regulatory authority [1][2].

Core Insights - Shandong province has entered the 10 trillion yuan economy club, attracting national attention for its high-quality economic and social development [1] - Qilu Bank, as a local bank, plays a significant role in supporting Shandong's economic growth through various financial services [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - As of the end of Q3 2025, Qilu Bank's asset scale reached 778.7 billion yuan, with loans and deposits growing by 13.6% and 10.4% respectively, and a net profit increase of 16.1% year-on-year [1] - The bank has established a comprehensive service network, empowering over 600 technology enterprises [3] Group 2: Technology Finance - Qilu Bank has actively explored new technology finance service models tailored to the characteristics of innovative enterprises, exemplified by its support for a technology company facing cash flow pressures [2][3] - The bank has set up 4 technology branches and 10 technology finance centers, enhancing its service capabilities [3] Group 3: Inclusive Finance - Qilu Bank has developed tailored financial products like "Bearing Village Loan" to address the financing difficulties faced by local enterprises in the bearing industry [5][6] - The bank has launched over 80 specialized credit products, covering more than 50 counties, and has maintained a leading position in inclusive loans among local commercial banks [6] Group 4: Green Finance - Qilu Bank has introduced innovative green finance products, such as "Sustainable Development Linked Loans," which link loan costs to environmental performance [7][8] - As of September 2025, the bank's green loan balance exceeded 45.3 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 35% [8][9] Group 5: Future Outlook - Qilu Bank aims to continue its commitment to serving the real economy and enhancing its financial services, aligning with the strategic goals of regional leadership and industry excellence [10]

Investment Rating - The report provides a "Buy" rating for all major banks analyzed, indicating a positive outlook for the banking sector [7]. Core Insights - The digital renminbi has entered its 2.0 era, transitioning from a central bank liability (M0) to a commercial bank liability (M1), allowing it to earn interest and be included in deposit insurance and reserve requirements [6][14]. - This transformation positions China as the first economy to offer interest on its central bank digital currency (CBDC), fundamentally altering its monetary attributes and creating a new financial paradigm in the digital economy [27]. - The digital renminbi's interest-bearing feature enhances user motivation to hold it, shifting its perception from a mere payment tool to a viable store of value, thus promoting its integration into everyday financial activities [27][28]. Summary by Sections 1. Digital Renminbi 2.0 Era - The digital renminbi (e-CNY) is now classified as a digital deposit currency, which can earn interest and is managed under a new regulatory framework [14]. - Major state-owned banks have begun offering interest on digital renminbi wallet balances, marking a significant shift in its utility and appeal [14][27]. 2. Development Progress and Application Status - The development of the digital renminbi began in 2014, with significant milestones including pilot tests in various cities and the establishment of a comprehensive operational framework by 2025 [32][33]. - As of November 2025, the digital renminbi has processed 34.8 billion transactions amounting to 16.7 trillion yuan, with extensive coverage across multiple provinces and cities [37]. 3. Global CBDC Development Trends - The report identifies three main trends in global CBDC development: active retail CBDC initiatives, innovation in payment systems, and cautious approaches in some countries like the U.S. [6]. - China's proactive stance in developing its CBDC positions it favorably in the global digital economy landscape, particularly in cross-border trade applications [30].

Market Overview - The city commercial bank sector experienced a decline of 0.55% on January 21, with Chongqing Bank leading the drop [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4116.94, up 0.08%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14255.12, up 0.7% [1] Individual Stock Performance - Ningbo Bank closed at 28.88, with an increase of 1.16% and a trading volume of 432,300 shares, amounting to a transaction value of 1.246 billion [1] - Chongqing Bank closed at 10.25, down 1.82%, with a trading volume of 106,800 shares and a transaction value of 110 million [2] - Other notable performers include Xiamen Bank, which closed at 7.13, down 1.66%, and Chengdu Bank, which closed at 15.72, down 1.38% [2] Capital Flow Analysis - The city commercial bank sector saw a net inflow of 508 million from institutional investors, while retail investors experienced a net outflow of 566 million [2] - The capital flow for individual stocks indicates that Hangzhou Bank had a net inflow of 158 million from institutional investors, while it faced a net outflow of 86.5 million from retail investors [3] - Shanghai Bank also saw a net inflow of 107 million from institutional investors, with a net outflow of 121 million from retail investors [3]

Market Overview - Major Asia-Pacific indices showed a collective decline, with the A-share market also experiencing consolidation, as the Shanghai Composite Index fluctuated while the Shenzhen Component and ChiNext indices performed weakly. The total trading volume in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing reached 2.8 trillion yuan, an increase of 72 billion yuan compared to the previous day [1] Real Estate Sector - The real estate sector rebounded strongly, with a notable increase in the price of a real estate ETF (159707) by 3.22%, marking multiple consecutive gains. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the sales price of newly built commercial residential properties in first-tier cities decreased by 0.3% month-on-month in December 2025, with Shanghai seeing a slight increase of 0.2% [1] Chemical Sector - The chemical sector experienced a significant rally, with the chemical ETF (516020) reaching a new high since August 2022, closing up 1.27%. Major companies in the sector, such as BASF and Dow, have been raising prices across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The ETF attracted 1.148 billion yuan in the last ten days [1][4] - The chemical ETF has seen substantial net inflows, with over 5.8 billion yuan in net subscriptions in the last five trading days and 11 billion yuan in the last ten days. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has set guidelines for zero-carbon factory construction, which may limit new capacity in the chemical sector [6][7] Banking Sector - The banking sector showed resilience amid market volatility, with a significant number of bank stocks rising. The top bank ETF (512800) closed up 0.77%, ending a four-day losing streak. Historical data indicates that the banking sector has a high probability of generating absolute and excess returns before the Spring Festival, with an average return of 4.4% from 2017 to 2025 [8][11][14] - The banking sector is expected to benefit from continued growth in credit, supported by stable growth policies and a favorable low-interest-rate environment. The latest dividend yield for the banking index stands at 4.78%, significantly higher than the 10-year government bond yield of 1.84% [14][15] AI and Technology Sector - The AI and technology sectors faced a downturn, with the entrepreneurial AI ETF (159363) experiencing a four-day decline. Despite this, the sector remains attractive for future investments, particularly in light of ongoing developments in AI applications and infrastructure [16][18] - The communication and semiconductor industries are expected to see increased attention due to their potential for earnings upgrades, with significant growth anticipated in the coming years [18][20]

Core Insights - The city commercial bank sector experienced a rise of 1.35% on January 20, with Chengdu Bank leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4113.65, down 0.01%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14155.63, down 0.97% [1] Stock Performance - Chengdu Bank (601838) closed at 15.94, up 3.10% with a trading volume of 606,000 shares and a transaction value of 9.56 billion [1] - Chongqing Bank (601963) closed at 10.44, up 2.96% with a trading volume of 133,800 shares and a transaction value of 138 million [1] - Other notable performers include: - Changsha Bank (601577): closed at 9.36, up 2.41% [1] - Qilu Bank (601665): closed at 5.48, up 2.05% [1] - Beijing Bank (601169): closed at 5.32, up 1.92% [1] - Qingdao Bank (002948): closed at 4.30, up 1.90% [1] - Xiamen Bank (601187): closed at 7.25, up 1.54% [1] - Shanghai Bank (601229): closed at 9.79, up 1.35% [1] - Nanjing Bank (601009): closed at 10.56, up 1.34% [1] - Hangzhou Bank (600926): closed at 15.24, up 1.20% [1] Capital Flow - The city commercial bank sector saw a net inflow of 266 million from institutional investors, while retail investors experienced a net outflow of 42.84 million [1] - Detailed capital flow for selected banks includes: - Shanghai Bank (601229): net inflow of 1.051 billion from institutional investors, with net outflows from retail and speculative investors [2] - Hangzhou Bank (600926): net inflow of 90.48 million from institutional investors, with significant outflows from retail and speculative investors [2] - Nanjing Bank (601009): net inflow of 26.57 million from institutional investors, with outflows from retail investors [2] - Other banks also showed varying levels of net inflows and outflows [2]

Group 1 - The banking sector experienced a significant upward movement, with Chengdu Bank rising over 3% [1] - Other banks such as Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank, CITIC Bank, and Changshu Bank saw increases of over 2% [1] - Additionally, Chongqing Bank and Qilu Bank also followed the upward trend [1]

Core Viewpoint - The A-share market sees a notable increase in bank stocks, with several banks experiencing significant gains despite broader market trends [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Qilu Bank rises nearly 2% [1] - Changshu Bank, Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank, CITIC Bank, Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank, Qingdao Bank, Chengdu Bank, Nanjing Bank, Hangzhou Bank, Jiangyin Bank, China Merchants Bank, and Shanghai Bank all see increases of over 1% [1]

Group 1 - The A-share market saw a significant increase in bank stocks, with Qilu Bank rising nearly 2% and several other banks, including Changshu Bank and Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank, increasing by over 1% [1] - The total market capitalization of Qilu Bank is 33.7 billion, while Changshu Bank has a market cap of 23.8 billion [2] - Year-to-date performance shows that Qilu Bank has decreased by 4.70%, while Changshu Bank has increased by 1.99% [2] Group 2 - Other banks that experienced gains include Yunnan Rural Commercial Bank (1.46%), CITIC Bank (1.30%), and Shanghai Bank (1.04%) [2] - The total market capitalization of CITIC Bank is 434 billion, and it has a year-to-date performance of 1.30% [2] - Despite the gains, many banks still show negative year-to-date performance, such as Shanghai Bank (-3.37%) and China Bank (-5.58%) [2]