货币政策应坚持“以我为主”，降准优于降息丨董希淼专栏

Core Viewpoint - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) is expected to maintain a moderately loose monetary policy, potentially implementing reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cuts and interest rate reductions, but large-scale rate cuts are deemed unrealistic [1][5][6]. Monetary Policy Outlook - PBOC will utilize various monetary policy tools to ensure ample liquidity and lower overall financing costs, supporting economic recovery [1]. - The current Loan Prime Rate (LPR) has remained unchanged at 3.0% for one-year and 3.5% for five-year loans for four consecutive months, indicating a cautious approach to rate adjustments [1][4]. - The recent U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts provide a more favorable external environment for China's monetary policy, potentially easing pressure on interest rates and the RMB exchange rate [3][5]. Interest Rate Dynamics - The average interest rate for new corporate loans in August was approximately 3.1%, down about 40 basis points year-on-year, while the average for new personal housing loans was also around 3.1%, down 25 basis points [4]. - The necessity for LPR reductions is questioned, as current rates are already at historical lows and the recent market operations have not indicated a need for immediate changes [4][5]. Constraints on LPR Changes - Factors limiting LPR adjustments include bank interest margins, which have decreased to 1.42%, and the already low deposit rates, which may restrict further reductions [3][5]. - The PBOC's focus will be on balancing internal and external factors while maintaining a stable economic environment, with RRR cuts prioritized over interest rate cuts [5][6]. Future Expectations - A potential RRR cut of 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points is anticipated in the fourth quarter, aimed at enhancing market liquidity [6]. - If policy and deposit rates continue to decline, there remains a possibility for LPR to decrease by 5 to 10 basis points later this year, although expectations should be tempered [6]. Structural Support Measures - Beyond lowering LPR, reducing non-interest costs and providing more policy support for key sectors will be essential for lowering overall financing costs [7]. - The collaboration between monetary policy and fiscal measures, such as interest subsidies and risk compensation, will be crucial in enhancing financial support for consumption and domestic demand [7].