Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-08-01 09:57Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the ongoing restructuring of brokerage branch layouts as firms aim to reduce costs and enhance efficiency, with over 20 brokerages having announced the closure of more than 60 branches by July 30 this year [2][3] - In July alone, three brokerages, including Founder Securities, announced the closure of their branches, with Founder Securities closing four branches, including its Henan branch [2][3] - The closures are primarily driven by high operational costs associated with physical branches, as well as a significant shift towards online trading platforms, which have become the mainstream mode of operation [3][5] Group 2 - Some brokerages are also actively expanding by opening new branches in regions with high business potential, such as the recent openings by Cheng Tong Securities and Wanlian Securities [5] - The restructuring of branch layouts is closely linked to the transformation towards wealth management, which is becoming increasingly important in the brokerage business model, contributing over 30% to brokerage income by 2024 [5][6] - Future adjustments in branch layouts are expected to focus on efficiency rather than scale, with a shift towards high-value, integrated service models, leveraging financial technology to enhance operations [6]