Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-12-03 10:13Core Viewpoint - The five-year large-denomination certificates of deposit (CDs) have been collectively removed from the offerings of major state-owned banks, leaving only three-year products available, reflecting ongoing pressure on the banking industry's net interest margins [2][11]. Group 1: Product Availability - Major state-owned banks, including Industrial and Agricultural Banks, have removed five-year large-denomination CDs from their online offerings, with only three-year and shorter-term products remaining [2][11]. - The three-year large-denomination CDs are now offered at a reduced interest rate of approximately 1.55%, with varying minimum deposit thresholds of 200,000, 1,000,000, and 5,000,000 yuan [3][7]. - Agricultural Bank's app shows only three-year products available, with interest rates fixed at 1.55% for both 500,000 and 20,000 yuan minimum deposits [7]. Group 2: Interest Rate Trends - The interest rate for three-year large-denomination CDs has decreased from 2.15% to 1.55% over the past year, a decline of 60 basis points [11]. - Other state-owned banks, such as Bank of China and Postal Savings Bank, have also removed five-year large-denomination CDs, with interest rates for three-year and shorter products aligning with the rates of other major banks [11]. Group 3: Market Context - The removal of long-term large-denomination CDs is part of a broader trend in the banking industry, driven by ongoing adjustments in response to a low net interest margin environment [14][15]. - As of the end of Q3, the net interest margin for commercial banks was reported at 1.42%, a decrease of 11 basis points year-on-year, indicating continued pressure on profitability [15]. - Analysts suggest that banks are adjusting their product offerings to manage costs and maintain net interest margins, reflecting a shift in strategy towards shorter-term deposits and higher entry thresholds for large-denomination CDs [15][16]. Group 4: Clarification on Deposit Products - The discontinuation of five-year large-denomination CDs has led to confusion among some depositors, who mistakenly believe that all five-year deposit options have been eliminated; however, regular five-year fixed deposits remain available [12][13]. - Regular five-year fixed deposits have a much lower minimum deposit requirement of 50 yuan and offer a stable interest rate of 1.30%, providing an alternative for customers with lower capital [13].