财经观察｜多家银行宣布，下调！存款利率全面向“1时代”迈进

Core Viewpoint - Recent adjustments in deposit rates by several banks indicate a trend towards lower interest rates, particularly among small and medium-sized banks, with expectations of further reductions following recent monetary policy changes [1][2][9]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Adjustments - Numerous small and medium-sized banks have lowered their deposit rates since April, with many now offering rates below 2% for various terms [2]. - For instance, Fujian Huatuo Bank has reduced its 3-year fixed deposit rate from 2.7% to 2.45% and its 5-year rate from 2.6% to 2.5% [2]. - Shanghai Huari Bank has also adjusted its rates, with the 3-year fixed deposit rate now at 2.5% and the 5-year rate at 2.4%, leading to a "rate inversion" where longer-term rates are lower than shorter-term rates [2][3]. Group 2: Rate Inversion Phenomenon - The phenomenon of "rate inversion" is becoming more common, where the average interest rate for 3-year fixed deposits (2.042%) is higher than that for 5-year deposits (1.883%) [4]. - Some banks, like China Merchants Bank, are offering 1-year rates (1.6%) that exceed both 3-year (1.5%) and 5-year (1.55%) rates, further illustrating this trend [4]. Group 3: Monetary Policy Impact - The People's Bank of China has recently lowered the 7-day reverse repurchase rate from 1.50% to 1.40%, which is expected to lead to a decrease in the Loan Prime Rate (LPR) by approximately 0.1 percentage points [9]. - Analysts predict that this reduction in policy rates will encourage banks to further lower deposit rates, impacting the overall cost of financing in the economy [9]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The ongoing decline in deposit rates is anticipated to continue, prompting depositors to reconsider their asset allocation strategies [9]. - Financial experts suggest that individuals may need to diversify their investments beyond traditional savings accounts to include cash management products, government bonds, and potentially equities, depending on their risk tolerance [9].