Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-07-18 00:05Core Viewpoint - Postal Savings Bank of China plans to establish a financial asset investment company (AIC) with a capital of 10 billion RMB, marking a significant expansion in the AIC sector as all six major state-owned banks will now have their own AICs [1][5][11]. Group 1: Company Actions - Postal Savings Bank's investment in the AIC is a response to national calls for enhancing financial services and supporting technological innovation and private enterprises [5][10]. - The establishment of Zhongyou Investment will increase the total number of bank-affiliated AICs in China to nine [5][11]. - The investment will be funded by the bank's own resources and is not expected to significantly impact its financial condition or operating results [8][10]. Group 2: Industry Context - The AIC sector has seen a revival after a long pause since 2017, with the recent approval of several banks to establish their own AICs, including Postal Savings Bank, which is the fourth bank to enter this field in 2025 [11][14][15]. - The AICs are designed to engage in debt-to-equity swaps and support related financial activities, contributing to the reduction of corporate leverage and enhancing financial stability [12][17]. - Since their inception, the five major state-owned bank AICs have seen a significant increase in net profits, growing from 1.15 billion RMB in 2018 to 18.35 billion RMB by the end of 2024, indicating a robust growth trajectory [16][19].