Core Viewpoint - The major state-owned banks in China have announced the abolition of their supervisory boards in response to new regulations set to take effect in July 2024, aiming to streamline governance structures and enhance decision-making efficiency [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - Five major state-owned banks, including Agricultural Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, received approval from the National Financial Regulatory Administration to abolish their supervisory boards [1]. - This change is driven by the new Company Law of the People's Republic of China, which will be implemented on July 1, 2024, and a subsequent notification from the National Financial Regulatory Administration [1][2]. Group 2: Implications for Governance - The cancellation of supervisory boards is expected to simplify governance structures and reduce management costs, particularly benefiting smaller banks by concentrating management resources [2]. - Decision-making efficiency is anticipated to improve as the traditional "three meetings" model (shareholders' meeting, board meeting, supervisory board) becomes less cumbersome, allowing banks to respond more swiftly to market changes [2]. - The move aligns with international corporate governance trends, bringing Chinese banks closer to mainstream global practices and enhancing the modernization of corporate governance [2]. Group 3: Role of Audit Committees - The notification clarifies that financial institutions can establish audit committees within the board of directors to assume the supervisory functions previously held by supervisory boards [2][3]. - Audit committees, typically composed of independent directors with financial and auditing expertise, are expected to enhance the professionalism of oversight in areas such as risk management and financial compliance [3]. - The integration of supervisory functions into audit committees aims to eliminate overlapping responsibilities and optimize the allocation of supervisory resources [3].
五大国有银行同日官宣:不再设立!