直销银行浮沉十二载：“我们不是失败了，只是完成了历史使命”

Core Viewpoint - The rise and fall of direct banks in China over the past decade reflects the challenges of digital transformation in the traditional banking sector, with many banks now integrating their direct banking services into mobile banking platforms due to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements [1][4][12]. Group 1: Development and Decline of Direct Banks - Direct banking in China began in 2013 with Beijing Bank, leading to a peak of 116 direct banks by 2019, but has since dwindled to around 20 by 2024 [1][3][6]. - Beijing Bank's direct banking customer base grew from 246,000 in 2015 to 476,000 in 2019, with cumulative sales reaching 11.56 billion yuan, but no further data has been disclosed since [1][2]. - Major banks have increasingly shut down or integrated their direct banking services into mobile banking apps, with Beijing Bank planning to migrate its direct banking services to its mobile app by June 2025 [2][3]. Group 2: Challenges Faced by Direct Banks - The decline of direct banks is attributed to the rise of mobile banking, which has improved user experience and functionality, rendering the independent existence of direct banks less valuable [4][10]. - Many customers remain unfamiliar with the concept of direct banks, leading to trust issues that hinder their growth [7][12]. - Direct banks often lack independent operational capabilities and face internal conflicts due to their positioning within traditional banking structures, limiting their ability to innovate and respond to market needs [9][11][12]. Group 3: Survival of Small and Regional Direct Banks - Smaller regional banks continue to operate direct banking services due to their resource constraints, which make the lightweight model of direct banks more suitable for their needs [5][8]. - These banks focus on localized customer bases and offer tailored financial products, allowing them to maintain a competitive edge despite the overall decline in direct banking [5][8]. Group 4: Future Prospects and Lessons Learned - The remaining direct banks may find success by refining their market positioning and collaborating with their parent banks to enhance service offerings [8][13]. - The experience of direct banks has highlighted the need for traditional banks to adapt to digital demands and has paved the way for the emergence of private and internet banks in the future [13].