兴业银行AIC率先获准开业 股份制银行债转股赛道竞逐升级

Core Viewpoint - Industrial Bank has received approval for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Xingyin Financial Asset Investment Co., Ltd., to commence operations, marking a significant entry of joint-stock banks into the market-oriented debt-to-equity swap business, traditionally dominated by state-owned banks [1][2]. Group 1: AIC Market Restructuring - Financial Asset Investment Companies (AICs) serve as the core platform for commercial banks to engage in market-oriented debt-to-equity swaps, established following a 2016 directive aimed at reducing corporate leverage [2]. - The approval of Xingyin Investment as the first joint-stock bank AIC follows a policy shift in May 2025, allowing qualified national commercial banks to establish AICs, with several banks, including CITIC Bank and China Merchants Bank, also in the process of establishment [2][3]. Group 2: Competitive Differentiation - Joint-stock banks' AICs generally maintain registered capital between 10 billion to 15 billion RMB, with China Merchants Bank leading at 15 billion RMB, while Industrial Bank and CITIC Bank are at 10 billion RMB, reflecting their commitment to AIC business prospects [3]. - Each bank's AIC emphasizes support for technological innovation and private enterprises, with Industrial Bank focusing on optimizing capital structures to reduce leverage for these sectors [3][4]. Group 3: Financial System Transformation - The rapid expansion of AICs represents a structural reform in China's financial system, allowing banks to convert debt into equity, thereby diversifying risks and enhancing direct financing [5]. - The inclusion of joint-stock banks enriches the AIC market, enabling better service for small and medium-sized enterprises and emerging industries, contrasting with state-owned banks' focus on large state-owned enterprises [5][6]. Group 4: Future Competitive Landscape - A comprehensive competition is emerging around project acquisition, valuation, post-investment management, and exit mechanisms, with joint-stock banks needing to carve out new paths in a field long dominated by state-owned banks [6].