Core Viewpoint - The banking industry is experiencing a wave of app closures, with many banks, including state-owned and city commercial banks, shutting down their independent apps, particularly in the credit card and direct banking sectors [2][3]. Group 1: App Closures and Mergers - Over 10 small and medium-sized banks have completed the shutdown of their credit card apps in 2024, with at least 6 more expected to follow by October 2025, integrating their functions into main mobile banking apps [3]. - China Bank has become the first state-owned bank to close its independent credit card app, "Bountiful Life," migrating all functions to the "Bank of China" app [2][3]. - The trend of closing direct banking apps began earlier, with at least 21 banks ceasing operations of their direct banking apps in 2023, reducing the number of such apps to less than one-tenth of their peak [3][8]. Group 2: Reasons for App Consolidation - The closure of multiple apps is driven by the need to reduce operational costs and improve user experience, as many independent apps have low user engagement and high maintenance costs [7][8]. - Regulatory pressures have accelerated the consolidation process, with financial authorities mandating banks to optimize or terminate apps that have low user activity and high compliance risks [8]. - The credit card industry is entering a contraction phase, with a decline in the number of credit cards issued and overall transaction activity, prompting banks to shut down underperforming apps [8]. Group 3: User Behavior and Market Trends - Users prefer a single app that offers comprehensive financial and lifestyle services, leading banks to recognize the importance of a unified digital experience [7][9]. - The banking sector is transitioning from a phase of aggressive app proliferation to a more rational approach, focusing on enhancing user engagement and operational efficiency [7][9]. - The decline in user engagement is evident, with only a few credit card service apps achieving over 10 million monthly active users, while many others struggle to maintain relevance [6][7].