Jing Ji Guan Cha Wang·2025-05-20 04:14Core Viewpoint - The recent reduction in the Loan Prime Rate (LPR) signals a shift in monetary policy aimed at stimulating economic activity through lower borrowing costs for both businesses and individuals [2][3]. Group 1: LPR Reduction Details - The 1-year LPR and the 5-year LPR have been lowered by 10 basis points to 3.0% and 3.5%, respectively, marking the first reduction in 7 months since October 2024 [2]. - A decrease in LPR will lead to lower loan rates for businesses and individuals, with an example showing that a 10 basis point drop could save a homebuyer approximately 20,000 yuan in interest over a 30-year mortgage [2]. Group 2: Impact on Deposit Rates - On the same day as the LPR reduction, major state-owned banks and some joint-stock banks announced a decrease in deposit rates, with 1-year fixed deposit rates falling below 1% to 0.95% [2][5]. - The reduction in deposit rates is seen as a strategy to attract depositors before further declines, with some banks offering rates as low as 0.05% for demand deposits [2]. Group 3: Economic Context and Analysis - The LPR reduction is attributed to external economic pressures, particularly the escalation of the US-China trade conflict, necessitating a stronger counter-cyclical adjustment in macroeconomic policy [3]. - The weighted average interest rate for new corporate loans was approximately 3.2%, down about 50 basis points year-on-year, while the average for new personal housing loans was around 3.1%, down about 55 basis points [3]. Group 4: Bank Profitability and Future Outlook - The recent cuts in deposit rates are expected to help lower banks' funding costs, potentially allowing for further reductions in LPR [6]. - The net interest margin for commercial banks has been narrowing, with the latest data showing a decline to 1.43%, down 9 basis points from the previous quarter [6]. - Analysts predict that the recent LPR cut will lead to further decreases in loan rates, as banks adjust to maintain their interest margins [6].