INDUSTRIAL BANK(SH:601166) 2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-05-13 11:58Core Viewpoint - The recent interest rate cuts and reserve requirement ratio reductions by the central bank have led to significant adjustments in the bank wealth management market, with many institutions lowering their performance benchmarks for wealth management products, reflecting the challenges posed by a low interest rate environment [1][3]. Group 1: Adjustments in Wealth Management Products - Several banks, including Dongguan Rural Commercial Bank and Tangshan Bank, have announced reductions in the performance benchmarks for their wealth management products, with some adjustments exceeding 100 basis points and rates falling below 2% [1][2]. - On May 12, Xinyin Wealth Management adjusted the performance benchmarks for multiple products, with the annualized return for one product dropping from 2.10%-4.05% to 1.50%-2.50% [2]. - A total of 150 bank wealth management products have adjusted their performance benchmarks since May 7, indicating a widespread response to market rate changes [2][3]. Group 2: Impact of Central Bank Policies - The People's Bank of China announced a 0.5 percentage point cut in the reserve requirement ratio and a 0.1 percentage point reduction in policy interest rates, prompting banks to lower deposit rates [3]. - Many small and medium-sized banks have responded quickly, with some long-term fixed deposit rates now falling below 2%, marking a shift into the "1.0 era" for deposit rates [3][4]. Group 3: Market Challenges and Trends - The bank wealth management market, with a total scale of approximately 29 trillion yuan, is facing pressure due to low interest rates, low spreads, and high volatility, leading to a reduction of 0.81 trillion yuan in the first quarter [5][6]. - Analysts suggest that the decline in wealth management scale is seasonal, with significant growth typically occurring in the second and third quarters [6]. - The low-risk nature of many wealth management products has led to a structural challenge, with 95% of products being fixed-income, limiting the potential for active management and profitability [6][7]. Group 4: Fee Reductions in Response to Market Conditions - In response to the adjustments in performance benchmarks, several wealth management companies, including China Merchants Bank Wealth Management and Minsheng Wealth Management, have initiated a wave of fee reductions to maintain customer relationships [8]. - For instance, China Merchants Bank announced a reduction in the sales commission for one of its products from 0.20% to 0.10% per year, effective from May 20 [8].