Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-09-03 04:01Core Viewpoint - The retail credit market is experiencing a significant divergence between traditional credit card business contraction and the expansion of personal loans, driven by consumer demand and policy support [2][11]. Credit Card Business - The total number of credit cards and credit card loans has declined for 11 consecutive quarters, with a reduction of 12 million cards compared to the end of last year [2]. - Among 15 listed banks, 11 reported a decrease in credit card loan balances compared to the end of last year, highlighting a pronounced industry-wide contraction [3]. - The most significant decline in credit card loan balances was observed at Bank of China, with a drop of 13.89%, followed by Postal Savings Bank at 5.67% [4]. - Credit card transaction volumes have also decreased, leading to a decline in non-interest income, with some banks reporting drops exceeding 15% [2][6]. Personal Loans - In contrast to the credit card sector, personal loans, particularly consumer loans, have seen robust growth, with several banks reporting increases exceeding 10% [11]. - Among state-owned banks, personal loans and consumer loans have both shown positive growth, with Agricultural Bank leading at 5.60% [12]. - The consumer loan segment has become a key growth driver for banks, with many institutions launching tailored products to stimulate demand [2][11]. Asset Quality - The asset quality of retail credit is under pressure, with rising non-performing loan (NPL) ratios for personal loans and credit cards across many banks [16]. - State-owned banks generally exhibit higher NPL ratios, with notable increases in personal loan NPLs for several institutions [17]. - Credit card NPL ratios have also risen, particularly at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which reported a rate of 3.75% [18][20]. Market Dynamics - The decline in credit card usage reflects a broader shift in consumer spending patterns, with an increase in smaller, more frequent transactions [6][8]. - The overall market for credit cards is facing significant challenges, with many banks reporting double-digit declines in credit card income [9][10].