短期指标与长期发展取舍两难,银行业"反内卷"如何破局立新?

Core Viewpoint - The banking industry is experiencing a phenomenon of "involution," characterized by irrational competition that compresses profit margins and poses potential risks to the sector's health [1][5][7]. Group 1: Interest Rate Adjustments - As of August, several listed banks reported that their average deposit costs fell below 2%, with specific rates at 1.96%, 1.62%, and 1.78%, but these declines were smaller than the corresponding drops in loan yields, which fell by 0.44, 0.37, and 0.53 percentage points respectively [2][3]. - The net interest margins (NIM) for these banks further narrowed to 2.58%, 1.54%, and 1.78%, although the rate of decline has slowed compared to previous periods [2][3]. - The People's Bank of China highlighted the significant deviation between deposit and loan rate adjustments, indicating severe competition among banks [3][4]. Group 2: Causes of Involution - The phenomenon of "involution" is attributed to a slowdown in the growth of new business for financial institutions, leading to intensified competition in the existing market [5][6]. - The competition manifests as price wars, particularly in the loan sector, where rates have dropped below 2%, resulting in a race to lower rates and relax credit standards [6][7]. - The pressure for performance and shareholder returns has exacerbated the competition among listed banks, pushing them to expand their scale to meet growth expectations [6][7]. Group 3: Implications for the Banking Sector - The ongoing "involution" is compressing profit margins and increasing operational risks for commercial banks, which could lead to long-term challenges for the industry [7][8]. - The central government has initiated a "de-involution" movement, with various regions implementing measures to curb excessive competition and promote healthier development practices [8][9]. - Experts suggest that banks need to transition from scale-driven growth to value-driven strategies, focusing on innovation and differentiated services to break the cycle of "involution" [9][10].