Jing Ji Guan Cha Wang·2025-11-13 04:14Core Insights - The overall monthly active users (MAU) of mobile banking apps in China remained stable between 650 million and 720 million in Q3 2025, indicating a saturation in market growth and a shift towards intensified competition among existing players [2][16] - User engagement metrics, such as daily usage time and app launch frequency, continued to decline, highlighting a decrease in user stickiness [2][16] - The competitive landscape is undergoing significant restructuring, with state-owned banks solidifying their dominance, while private banks struggle to maintain relevance [2][15] State-Owned Banks - The six major state-owned banks captured six of the top seven spots in the mobile banking MAU rankings, with Agricultural Bank of China leading at over 250 million MAU [3][6] - All major state-owned banks reported positive MAU growth, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China leading at a 6.1% quarter-on-quarter increase [6][10] - The robust performance of state-owned banks is attributed to their strong digital strategies and comprehensive service offerings, enhancing user engagement [6][10] Joint-Stock Banks - Joint-stock commercial banks showed overall stability, with China Merchants Bank leading this category with over 70 million MAU, ranking fifth overall [7][9] - There is a noticeable internal differentiation among joint-stock banks, with some like Everbright Bank and CITIC Bank showing significant growth, while others like Minsheng Bank faced declines [10][15] - The competitive edge of China Merchants Bank stems from its focus on digital transformation and wealth management services [10] City Commercial Banks - City commercial banks emerged as a highlight in Q3 2025, with 17 banks entering the top 50 list, led by Ningbo Bank with a remarkable 43.9% growth in MAU [11][14] - The growth of city commercial banks is linked to their targeted regional strategies and tailored services for specific customer segments [14][16] - However, some city banks experienced declines in MAU, indicating that regional advantages do not guarantee growth [14] Private Banks - Private banks are facing a collective decline, with no representatives in the top 50 MAU rankings for Q3 2025, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape [15][16] - The challenges faced by private banks are attributed to their inability to compete with traditional banks that have strengthened their digital capabilities and customer trust [15][16] - The decline of private banks signals a transition in the industry from rapid user acquisition to deepening engagement with existing customers [15][16] Agricultural and Rural Banks - Seventeen agricultural and rural banks made it to the top 50 list, with Fujian Rural Credit leading at 781.6 million MAU [16] - Most of these banks reported positive growth, indicating a successful strategy in their respective markets [16] - The performance of agricultural banks reflects the ongoing restructuring and competitive dynamics within the banking sector [16]