Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-03 17:13Core Viewpoint - The disappearance of long-term deposit products, particularly five-year large certificates of deposit (CDs), reflects the ongoing pressure on banks' net interest margins, leading to a reevaluation of their liability structures and product offerings [1][3][9] Group 1: Changes in Deposit Products - Major state-owned banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, and others, have completely discontinued five-year large CDs, with some also reducing the availability of three-year products [3][5] - The current interest rate for a three-year large CD at Industrial and Commercial Bank is only 1.55%, with a minimum deposit requirement of 1 million yuan, contrasting sharply with the 50 yuan minimum for regular fixed deposits [5][17] - The trend of reducing long-term deposit products is not limited to large banks; some joint-stock banks and city commercial banks are also following suit, indicating a broader industry shift [3][7] Group 2: Impact on Customers - The increasing minimum deposit requirements for three-year products mean that large CDs are becoming exclusive to high-net-worth clients, moving away from their original target demographic of middle-class savers [5][11] - Ordinary depositors are facing challenges in asset allocation due to the scarcity of long-term deposit options, leading to a shift in savings behavior, with a notable decrease in the percentage of savers preferring to save more [13][17] - The current environment has prompted some depositors to seek higher returns or more diversified investment channels, reflecting a change in asset allocation strategies [13][15] Group 3: Industry Response - Banks are adjusting their product offerings in response to the pressure on net interest margins, with state-owned banks discontinuing five-year large CDs while smaller banks focus on shorter-term products [7][9] - The ongoing decline in loan rates and intense competition for deposits are squeezing banks' profit margins, necessitating a reevaluation of high-interest long-term deposit products [9][11] - Banks are increasingly using large CDs to attract high-quality new clients and as a stable asset for private banking clients, indicating a strategic shift in how these products are utilized [11][15]