3年减少1亿张！银行信用卡正在加速“瘦身”

Core Viewpoint - The credit card industry in China is undergoing a significant "slimming down" trend, characterized by a substantial reduction in card issuance and the accelerated exit of credit card centers, driven by regulatory policies and a shift towards refined management practices [1][3]. Group 1: Industry Trends - As of the end of Q3 2023, the total number of credit cards and combined loans in China has decreased to 707 million, down by 8 million from the previous quarter, marking a continuous decline for 12 consecutive quarters [1]. - The number of credit cards has decreased by 100 million from the historical peak of 807 million in 2022 [1]. - The shift from "extensive management" to "refined management" in the credit card business reflects a response to past issues of excessive card issuance and the prevalence of inactive "sleeping cards" [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Impact - Regulatory policies introduced in July 2022 have mandated that banks cannot use card issuance volume or customer numbers as primary assessment metrics, leading to a proactive cleanup of inefficient card inventories [3]. - By mid-2023, major banks like ICBC, Bank of Communications, and Postal Savings Bank reported reductions in their credit card issuance, with ICBC issuing 148 million cards, down by 2 million from the end of the previous year [3]. Group 3: Operational Adjustments - The operational model of credit card businesses is undergoing deep adjustments, with several banks, including Bank of Communications and Minsheng Bank, shutting down credit card centers across multiple cities [4]. - The industry is transitioning from rapid expansion to a phase of high-quality development, necessitating banks to streamline operations and enhance management practices [4]. Group 4: Future Directions - The credit card industry is now focusing on several key areas for breakthrough, including improving management levels and enhancing customer experience through refined operations [5]. - Banks are encouraged to view credit cards as a high-engagement retail customer entry point, facilitating cross-selling of retail products and achieving a stronger binding of user assets and liabilities [6].