Core Viewpoint - The recent approval by regulatory authorities for banks to abolish their supervisory boards and transfer their functions to the audit committee of the board is a significant shift in corporate governance within the banking sector in China [1][2][3] Group 1: Regulatory Changes - Over ten banks have announced the approval to abolish their supervisory boards, including prominent banks such as Wuxi Rural Commercial Bank, Changshu Bank, Zhengzhou Bank, and Shanghai Bank [1] - The new Company Law, effective from July 1, 2024, allows joint-stock companies to establish an audit committee composed of directors to perform the functions of the supervisory board, eliminating the need for a supervisory board [2] - The National Financial Supervision Administration's notification in December 2025 further clarifies that financial institutions can set up an audit committee in accordance with their articles of association, thereby not requiring a supervisory board [2] Group 2: Historical Context and Implications - The supervisory board system was introduced in the 1990s in China's banking sector, modeled after the German system, to establish an independent supervisory layer [3] - The original intent of the supervisory board was to act as a supervisor in corporate governance, ensuring compliance and asset safety, but it has often struggled to fulfill this role effectively [3] - The transition to an audit committee, typically composed of directors with financial and risk management backgrounds, is expected to enhance governance efficiency by integrating supervisory functions into the decision-making core of the board [3]
瑞丰银行、郑州银行等多家银行撤销监事会获监管核准