2025年，293家银行退出江湖

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese banking industry is undergoing significant reform, with a notable trend of mergers and dissolutions among small and medium-sized banks, particularly village and rural commercial banks, as part of a broader effort to enhance efficiency and risk management in the sector [1][2][15]. Group 1: Mergers and Dissolutions - As of September 30, 2025, a total of 293 independent legal banks have exited the market, including 166 that were dissolved and 127 that were merged [1][12]. - The majority of the banks that have disappeared are village banks and rural commercial banks, indicating a shift in the banking landscape towards larger, more stable institutions [1][15]. - Recent examples include the merger of Ningxia Bank with Ningxia Helan Hui Commercial Village Bank, which will result in the latter being dissolved and its operations continued under Ningxia Bank [4][6]. Group 2: Industry Challenges and Responses - Small financial institutions have historically filled gaps in financial services but face challenges such as limited management capabilities and weak risk resistance [2][20]. - The ongoing digital transformation and competition from larger banks necessitate a restructuring through mergers to improve quality while reducing quantity [2][15]. - The central government has emphasized the need for comprehensive financial regulation and risk management, making the reform of small and medium-sized banks a priority [15][20]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The number of banking institutions in China is projected to decrease from over 4,000 to around 3,000 in the next 3-5 years, with a continued focus on consolidating smaller banks [18][21]. - The restructuring of village banks into branches of larger banks is expected to enhance service capabilities and risk management, leading to a gradual reduction in the number of village banks [21][22]. - The overall trend suggests that while mergers may lead to short-term challenges, they are likely to result in a more stable and efficient banking sector in the long run [22][23].