清理“不动户”、推进标准化……银行贵金属业务迎变局

Core Viewpoint - Recent adjustments in the banking precious metals business indicate a shift towards enhanced risk control and cost management, with banks focusing on cleaning up inactive accounts and promoting standardized products [1][2][4]. Group 1: Adjustments in Banking Precious Metals Business - Several banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and China Construction Bank, have announced the cleaning of long-term inactive accounts in personal precious metals business at the Shanghai Gold Exchange [1][3]. - ICBC will transfer the balances of inactive margin accounts to settlement accounts and close related business functions starting December 19, 2025 [2]. - Other banks, such as China CITIC Bank and Industrial Bank, have also announced similar measures to clean up inactive accounts or halt their personal precious metals business [3]. Group 2: Risk Control and Cost Management - Banks are enhancing risk control and liquidity management by clearing high-risk, long-idle deferred delivery accounts and promoting low-risk standardized products like accumulated gold [4]. - Experts predict that more small and medium-sized banks will follow suit, gradually reducing their proprietary gold business and shifting towards agency sales and standardized products [4]. Group 3: Marketing of Standardized Products - As the 2026 Spring Festival approaches, banks are ramping up marketing efforts for gold products, offering promotional activities for physical gold and accumulated gold [5][6]. - ICBC has launched a promotional campaign reducing the handling fee for accumulated gold from 0.5% to 0.2% [5]. - Other banks, such as China Merchants Bank, are also promoting gold products with significant returns, while advising investors to be cautious of market volatility [6].