Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-08-25 03:18Core Viewpoint - Shenzhen, celebrating its 45th anniversary, highlights the symbiotic relationship between local banks and the city's development, showcasing the innovative financial practices of institutions like China Merchants Bank and Ping An Bank [2][8]. Group 1: Historical Context and Development - Shenzhen's financial industry has evolved significantly since the 1980s, with local banks like China Merchants Bank and Ping An Bank serving as examples of successful financial innovation [2][8]. - China Merchants Bank was established in 1987 in Shenzhen, starting with 100 million yuan in capital and growing to over 12 trillion yuan in total assets by mid-2025 [8]. - As of June 2025, China Merchants Bank reported 1.16 trillion yuan in deposits and 536.3 billion yuan in loans in Shenzhen, serving 15.78 million retail customers and 310,000 corporate clients [8]. Group 2: Leadership and Management - Wang Liang, the long-serving president of China Merchants Bank, emphasizes a market-oriented approach and innovative service models as key to the bank's success [11]. - In contrast, Ji Guangheng, the relatively new president of Ping An Bank, brings extensive experience from other major banks and focuses on leveraging technology and industry support for growth [5][10]. Group 3: Strategic Innovations - China Merchants Bank's "Zhaoyin Model" includes a modern corporate governance structure and a competitive hiring process, fostering a dynamic work environment [11]. - Ping An Bank's strategy involves supporting technology-driven enterprises and enhancing industrial upgrades, with a focus on creating specialized financial products for key sectors [12][13]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Challenges - Both banks face challenges such as declining interest rates and consumer spending, with China Merchants Bank reporting a 2.08% decrease in net profit year-on-year for Q1 2025 [16]. - Ping An Bank's half-year report for 2025 showed a 10% decline in revenue and a 3.9% decrease in net profit, although some key performance indicators showed signs of recovery [16]. Group 5: Future Directions and Goals - The financial sector in Shenzhen aims to align with national goals for high-quality development, with China Merchants Bank focusing on a "value bank" strategy to maximize stakeholder benefits [18]. - Ping An Bank seeks to integrate with Shenzhen's growth, supporting the real economy and enhancing financial services for the community [18].