Core Viewpoint - The banking industry is undergoing a "de-involution" movement aimed at curbing "involution-style" competition, which has led to irrational practices such as commission payments to real estate companies and intermediaries [1][2][4] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The Zhejiang Provincial Banking Association has issued a self-regulatory convention prohibiting commission payments to real estate firms and intermediaries, targeting practices like "commission grabbing" and "dark box operations" [1][2] - Other regions, including Guangdong and Ningxia, have also taken similar actions to promote rational development in the banking sector [2] Group 2: Nature of "Involution" Competition - "Involution-style" competition refers to low-level homogenized competition in a saturated market, characterized by blind expansion, price wars, and excessive marketing [2][4] - Practices such as "commission grabbing" involve banks paying commissions to intermediaries based on loan amounts, which are often hidden from regulatory scrutiny [2][3] - "Dark box operations" occur when banks bypass public regulations to provide undue benefits to specific clients or partners, often through undisclosed agreements [3][4] Group 3: Impact on the Banking Sector - The "involution" phenomenon has led to adverse effects at various levels: micro-level issues include "bad money driving out good," while macro-level issues involve distorted resource allocation and suppressed economic vitality [4][6] - Factors contributing to the persistence of "involution" include a significant decline in net interest margins, increased pressure on banks to stabilize income and profits, and a performance evaluation system that emphasizes scale and speed [4][5] Group 4: Risks and Consequences - "Commission grabbing" distorts mortgage rate pricing, leading to higher overall financing costs for borrowers, as intermediaries may pass on hidden costs [6] - The practice can also trigger malicious competition, where intermediaries select partners based on commission rates, ultimately increasing operational costs for banks and affecting consumer interests [6][7] Group 5: Future Directions - To address the "involution" issue, industry experts suggest establishing a three-dimensional governance framework that includes regulatory guidance, industry collaboration, and institutional transformation [7] - The transition from a focus on scale to value creation is essential for reshaping a healthy banking ecosystem, although it may involve short-term challenges such as customer loss and performance declines [7]
银行业“反内卷”持续升级,浙粤等地新规直击返佣抢单乱象
Di Yi Cai Jing Zi Xun·2025-08-05 12:43