五年期定存悄然“退场”

Core Viewpoint - The trend of five-year fixed deposits disappearing from banks' offerings indicates a shift in the banking sector towards optimizing liability structures and reducing costs in response to narrowing net interest margins [1][4][6]. Group 1: Changes in Deposit Products - Several small and medium-sized banks have recently removed five-year fixed deposit products and lowered interest rates across various terms to optimize their liability structures and reduce costs [2][4]. - Notably, banks such as SuShang Bank, HuaRui Bank, and XinAn Bank have been particularly active in adjusting their deposit offerings, with some banks completely omitting five-year fixed deposit rates from their listings [2][4]. - While major banks still offer five-year ordinary fixed deposit products, the interest rates for large fixed deposits have converged with those of ordinary deposits, diminishing the appeal of high-threshold large fixed deposits [3][4]. Group 2: Impact on Banking Sector - The adjustments reflect the banking industry's response to pressures from narrowing net interest margins, which have reached historical lows, with the current net interest margin at 1.42% [4][6]. - The dual impact of declining loan rates and rigid deposit costs has compelled banks to proactively manage their liability costs, with five-year fixed deposits being a primary target for cost reduction [4][6]. - Experts suggest that the trend of reducing high-cost deposit products may continue, as banks aim to stabilize their net interest margins and adapt to changing market conditions [5][6]. Group 3: Implications for Depositors - The gradual phase-out of five-year fixed deposits signals a shift away from traditional "passive interest" strategies, urging depositors to reconsider their asset allocation strategies [5][6]. - Depositors are encouraged to diversify their investments and consider various financial products, such as funds and bank wealth management products, to balance returns and liquidity [6][7]. - The current environment suggests that depositors should adapt to a more flexible and diversified approach to financial management, moving away from reliance on long-term high-interest savings [6][7].