3 6 Ke·2025-10-10 12:02Core Insights - The credit card market is shifting towards managing existing customers due to saturation and cost-cutting measures by banks, with adjustments in overdraft interest rates aimed at reducing costs for cardholders to encourage usage [1][6][8] - Everbright Bank has adjusted its credit card overdraft interest rate from a fixed range of 0.035%-0.05% to a new range of 0%-0.05%, allowing for the possibility of 0% interest for high-quality cardholders [2][3] - The overall trend in the credit card industry shows a decline in new card issuance and transaction volumes, prompting banks to focus on retaining existing customers rather than acquiring new ones [6][7][8] Summary by Sections Credit Card Interest Rate Adjustments - Several banks, including Everbright Bank, have begun to break the long-standing fixed overdraft interest rate of 0.05%, with Everbright's new standard effective from September 29, 2025 [2][3] - The adjustment allows for a potential annual interest rate range of 0%-18.25%, reflecting a significant shift in pricing strategy [2][3] Market Conditions and Trends - The credit card market is experiencing saturation, with a notable decline in new card issuance since 2022, leading to a total of 715 million credit cards in circulation by mid-2025, a decrease of 6 million from the previous quarter [6][7] - The decline in transaction volumes and the need for banks to reduce costs have made it essential to lower fees and interest rates to retain existing customers [6][8] Strategic Focus on Existing Customers - Banks are increasingly focusing on existing customer relationships, as acquiring new customers has become more challenging and costly, with an average acquisition cost of 500 yuan per new cardholder [8][9] - The revenue model for credit cards relies heavily on interest income from overdrafts, which has become a critical area for banks to enhance customer loyalty and usage [8][9] Regulatory and Policy Changes - The People's Bank of China has facilitated a more market-driven approach to credit card interest rates since 2021, allowing banks to negotiate rates with cardholders [4][5] - The recent adjustments in interest rates reflect a broader trend towards personalized pricing and differentiation in service offerings to attract high-quality customers [5][9]