金融行业反内卷 | 拒绝“价格战” 银行向结构性改革要增量

Core Viewpoint - The banking industry is facing significant "involution" competition, particularly in deposit and loan businesses, prompting calls for innovation and differentiation to avoid price wars and enhance profitability [1][2][4]. Group 1: Involution in Banking - The primary source of profit for banks is the interest margin between deposits and loans, with current involution concentrated in these areas [2]. - The People's Bank of China has noted a rapid decline in loan rates while deposit rates remain stagnant, leading to a significant deviation from policy interest rates [2]. - Factors contributing to deposit involution include minimal product differentiation among banks and external pressures from low-interest environments [2][3]. Group 2: Urgency of Addressing Involution - The urgency to combat involution is underscored by the current net interest margin of 1.43%, the lowest in nearly 20 years, which compresses profitability and increases financial risks [4][5]. - Over-competition in the industry is leading to higher funding costs and potential regulatory challenges, affecting the effectiveness of monetary policy [5]. Group 3: Strategies for Overcoming Involution - Banks are encouraged to adhere to regulatory guidelines while innovating service models and expanding deposit and loan businesses [6][7]. - Some banks have publicly committed to avoiding price wars, emphasizing value-driven competition instead [6][7]. - Expanding incremental business through product innovation and digital transformation is seen as a crucial strategy to mitigate the effects of involution [8][9]. Group 4: Enhancing Non-Interest Income - A significant reason for the current involution is the reliance on a narrow revenue structure; thus, increasing non-interest income is vital for resilience [12]. - Wealth management and financial market activities are identified as key areas for growth, with many banks planning to enhance their non-interest income streams [12][14]. - The shift in consumer wealth towards financial assets presents an opportunity for banks to develop wealth management services, leveraging their existing customer base [12][13]. Group 5: Regulatory Support and Market Dynamics - Regulatory bodies are urged to encourage banks to innovate and differentiate their services, fostering a healthier competitive environment [11]. - The banking sector's transformation is viewed as a structural reform aimed at enhancing service supply and creating customer value, which is essential for navigating economic cycles [15].