Bei Jing Shang Bao·2025-10-13 01:08Core Insights - The trend of state-owned banks transitioning village banks into branches is gaining momentum, with Agricultural Bank of China recently acquiring Zhejiang Yongkang Rural Bank and establishing three branches [1][2] - This transformation reflects a response to regulatory calls for reforming village banks and aims to enhance service delivery in rural areas [1][3] Group 1: Recent Developments - On October 11, the National Financial Regulatory Administration approved Agricultural Bank's acquisition of Zhejiang Yongkang Rural Bank, marking the second such approval this year [2] - In September, Agricultural Bank was also approved to acquire Xiamen Tong'an Rural Bank, indicating a strategic shift from independent village banks to branches under the bank's direct management [2][3] Group 2: Industry Context - The transition from village banks to branches is part of a broader restructuring of county-level financial services, initiated by regulatory reforms aimed at mitigating risks associated with village banks [5][6] - Village banks experienced rapid growth after their establishment in 2006, but issues such as governance failures and a decline in agricultural loan ratios have prompted regulatory intervention [6][7] Group 3: Strategic Implications - The "village-to-branch" model allows state-owned banks to leverage their resources and expertise to enhance rural financial services, thereby supporting local economic development and rural revitalization strategies [4][7] - However, challenges remain, including the complexity of stakeholder interests and the need to address legacy bad assets from the village banks [7]