Bei Jing Shang Bao·2025-08-14 14:16Group 1 - The trend of securities firms closing or merging their branches is increasing, driven by cost reduction and resource optimization [1][3][6] - Changcheng Securities announced the closure of its Xiangyang Hanjiang North Road branch to enhance resource integration and promote wealth management transformation [3][4] - Guosen Securities has also announced the closure of 12 branches, with plans to further optimize its network [4][5] Group 2 - Several securities firms, including Fangzheng Securities and Debang Securities, have also announced branch closures to improve operational efficiency and support high-quality business development [5][6] - The closures are part of a broader industry trend towards digital transformation and a focus on online services, reflecting changing investor habits [6][7] - The number of branches among securities firms varies significantly, with some firms having over 100 branches while others have fewer than 5 [7][8]