Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-06-30 03:25Core Viewpoint - The recent shareholder meeting of China Merchants Bank (CMB) highlighted significant concerns regarding the downward pressure on net interest margin (NIM), with management acknowledging the challenges in returning to a NIM above 2% [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - CMB's NIM decreased from 1.98% in 2024 to 1.91% in Q1 2025, with the bank's president admitting the difficulty in recovering to previous levels [2][5]. - In Q1 2025, the annualized average yield on loans and advances was 3.53%, down 0.54 percentage points year-on-year [4]. - The average cost of customer deposits fell to 1.29%, a decrease of 0.34 percentage points, but this was insufficient to counteract the narrowing NIM [5]. Industry Context - The overall banking sector's NIM was reported at 1.43% in Q1 2025, with the average non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 1.51%, indicating a concerning trend where NIM is below NPL rates [6][7]. - A significant number of listed banks (80%) reported NIMs below the regulatory threshold of 1.8%, with some banks, like Shengjing Bank, dropping to as low as 0.8% [10][11]. Challenges and Comparisons - The current environment reflects a broader trend in the banking industry, reminiscent of Japan's prolonged period of declining NIMs, which saw rates drop to historical lows [18]. - CMB's situation is compounded by insufficient credit demand and the impact of interest rate adjustments on asset yields, leading to a more competitive and challenging landscape [5][12]. Strategic Insights - Some banks, particularly private banks, maintain higher NIMs, often due to their focus on personal loans, which are subject to intense competition and risk [13][14]. - The need for banks to adapt their business structures and strategies is evident, as many face pressures to maintain sustainable operations amidst declining NIMs [15][19].