AGRICULTURAL BANK OF CHINA(SH:601288) Zheng Quan Shi Bao·2025-10-15 05:34Group 1 - The core point of the news is the ongoing consolidation of rural commercial banks by major state-owned banks in China, with Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) acquiring 102 branches from various rural banks in Jilin province [1][2] - ABC has also acquired Zhejiang Yongkang Rural Bank and established three new branches under its name, indicating a trend of major banks expanding their footprint through mergers and acquisitions [3][4] - The consolidation is part of a broader trend where smaller financial institutions are expected to face a period of restructuring, with weaker banks likely to be eliminated from the market [1][6] Group 2 - In 2023, major state-owned banks, including ABC, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and Bank of Communications (BoCom), have collectively acquired five rural banks, transforming them into 11 branches under their management [4][5] - BoCom has been particularly active, establishing the most new branches (seven) through its acquisitions, while ABC has established three and ICBC one [4][5] - The restructuring of rural banks is also evident in Sichuan province, where 12 county-level rural banks have been approved for merger, enhancing the management and operational efficiency of the banking system [6][7] Group 3 - The consolidation efforts are supported by regulatory approvals, with the Financial Regulatory Bureau of Sichuan endorsing the mergers and the establishment of new leadership in the merged banks [6][7] - The reforms aim to strengthen the financial services in rural areas and improve the overall stability and competitiveness of the banking sector [7] - The restructuring is characterized by a "top-down" approach, where larger banks invest in smaller institutions to create a more cohesive banking structure [7]