Bank Of Guiyang(SH:601997) Xin Jing Bao·2025-12-09 00:25Core Viewpoint - Recent regulatory changes in the internet lending sector have prompted local commercial banks to significantly reduce their partnerships with smaller lending platforms, reflecting concerns over shared debt risks and the sustainability of previous lending models [1][2][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes and Bank Responses - Several local banks, including Urumqi Bank, Longjiang Bank, and Guiyang Bank, have announced a halt to new internet lending partnerships, while others have drastically cut the number of collaborating institutions [1][2]. - The introduction of the new lending regulations has led banks to reassess their reliance on external lending platforms, indicating a shift towards strengthening their own risk management capabilities [1][3]. - The new regulations require lending platforms to lower their comprehensive interest rates to below 24%, which has raised concerns about the ability of smaller platforms to maintain their previous guarantees [3][4]. Group 2: Impact on Lending Platforms - The profitability of lending platforms has been significantly affected, with profit margins dropping from around 4% to approximately 2% per loan, leading many platforms to struggle for breakeven [5][14]. - The cost of funds for lending platforms is expected to rise, with estimates suggesting that funding costs could increase to around 8%, while bad debt coverage costs may reach as high as 25% [15][6]. - The competitive landscape is shifting, with smaller platforms lacking genuine risk management capabilities likely to exit the market, while those with strong financial technology and customer acquisition channels may thrive [10][19]. Group 3: Industry Challenges and Future Outlook - The lending industry is experiencing a painful transition, with both banks and lending platforms facing operational challenges due to the new regulations [17][8]. - The focus of competition is expected to shift from mere scale and flow to risk management capabilities and technological strength, marking a new phase in the lending market [17][19]. - There is a growing concern that rapid reductions in lending partnerships could lead to a spike in non-performing loans, potentially transmitting risks throughout the banking sector [17][8].