Jin Rong Shi Bao·2025-12-02 08:23Core Viewpoint - The major state-owned banks in China have completely stopped offering 5-year large denomination certificates of deposit (CDs), with a trend towards shorter-term products, reflecting a shift in the banking sector's approach to long-term deposits amid declining interest rates and changing depositor behavior [1][2][10]. Group 1: Bank Actions - Six major state-owned banks, including ICBC, ABC, BOC, CCB, BOCOM, and PSBC, have ceased offering 5-year large denomination CDs, with some also reducing the availability of 3-year products [1][2][6]. - The current offerings from these banks now primarily include shorter-term products, with the longest available being 3 years at a rate of 1.55% [2][6]. - The trend of discontinuing long-term deposit products is not limited to national banks; local commercial banks and private banks are also following suit, as seen with the announcements from banks in Inner Mongolia [10][11]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The reduction in long-term deposit products is attributed to the downward trend in interest rates, leading banks to avoid higher costs associated with long-term deposits [10][11]. - There is a notable increase in deposit enthusiasm among residents, resulting in rapid growth in bank deposit scales, while credit demand remains weak, reducing banks' motivation to attract long-term deposits [10][11]. - Many banks are also lowering deposit rates, with some reductions reaching up to 65 basis points, indicating a broader strategy to optimize their liability structure under pressure from interest margins [10][11]. Group 3: Depositor Behavior - The withdrawal of long-term deposit products has created a dilemma for depositors, as many are uncertain about where to allocate their idle funds, with a significant portion of savers expressing a desire for more savings [11]. - A survey indicates that the proportion of depositors inclined towards saving more has decreased by 1.5 percentage points, suggesting a shift in asset allocation strategies among investors in a low-interest-rate environment [11]. - Financial experts recommend that investors adjust their expectations for returns and consider diversifying their asset allocation to include cash management products, money market funds, and government bonds [11].