Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-10-16 23:10Core Viewpoint - Agricultural Bank of China has received approval to acquire Zhejiang Yongkang Agricultural Bank and establish three branches, marking its second "village-to-branch" initiative this year, following similar actions by other major state-owned banks [1][2] Group 1: Regulatory Approvals and Actions - The approval from the Jinhua Regulatory Bureau allows Agricultural Bank to fully take over the assets, liabilities, business, and employees of Zhejiang Yongkang Agricultural Bank [1] - This acquisition follows a previous approval in September for the acquisition of Xiamen Tong'an Agricultural Bank, which was converted into a branch of Agricultural Bank [1] - Other state-owned banks, such as Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Bank of Communications, have also initiated similar reforms this year, indicating a trend among major banks to engage in "village-to-branch" transformations [2] Group 2: Reform Trends and Implications - The number of village banks is projected to decrease to 1,440 by June 2025, down from 1,538 at the end of 2024, reflecting a broader trend of consolidation in the sector [3] - The reform process is driven by regulatory policies aimed at addressing risks in small financial institutions and the need for improved governance and risk management within village banks [3] - The core strategy of the current reform is "mergers and acquisitions, reduction and quality improvement," which aligns with the regulatory focus on enhancing the stability of small financial institutions [3] Group 3: Long-term Impact of Reforms - The integration of village banks into larger banking systems will enhance their operational efficiency and governance by leveraging the resources and risk management frameworks of parent banks [4] - For participating banks, especially large ones, this reform will facilitate deeper market penetration and align with their inclusive finance strategies [5] - The restructuring of the rural financial ecosystem will lead to a more efficient allocation of resources, supporting the implementation of rural revitalization strategies [5]