深度｜银行业“瘦身”

Core Insights - The wave of mergers and restructuring among China's small and medium-sized banks has progressed with unexpected intensity and speed, focusing on financial risk prevention and high-quality industry development as the core themes of the year [1][2]. Summary by Sections Mergers and Restructuring - As of December 26, 2025, a total of 394 banking institutions were approved to exit the market through mergers and dissolutions, doubling the total from 2024 [1][7]. - Between 2024 and 2025, nearly 550 banking institutions were reduced through mergers and restructuring, surpassing the total from the previous seven years [1]. - The restructuring involved 28 provinces, with Inner Mongolia leading by integrating 139 institutions, followed by Shandong (33), Henan (26), and others [1][9]. Characteristics of the Restructuring - The integration of small and medium-sized banks in 2025 is characterized by two significant trends: the involvement of state-owned banks in "village-to-branch" transformations and the acceleration of provincial-level reforms in the rural credit system [1][15]. - The core entities in the restructuring are village banks (231), followed by rural commercial banks (81) and rural credit cooperatives (71) [12]. Policy and Regulatory Framework - The central financial work conference in 2024 emphasized the need to "properly handle risks in small financial institutions," placing them alongside local debts and real estate as key areas for financial risk prevention [3]. - The regulatory focus during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period has been on risk prevention and resolution for small financial institutions, with a commitment to personalized reform strategies based on regional differences [4]. Achievements and Future Directions - Significant progress has been made in risk resolution, with over 40% more non-performing asset disposals compared to the previous five-year period, and the total capital and provisions in the industry exceeding 50 trillion yuan [5]. - The government work report for 2025 outlined a market-oriented and legal approach to risk resolution and transformation of local small financial institutions [5]. Service Upgrades and Market Dynamics - The restructuring is not merely a reduction in numbers but aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of financial services, particularly for rural and small enterprises [19][20]. - Merged institutions are expected to improve operational standards, risk resistance, and expand their service offerings through enhanced digital capabilities [19][20]. Long-term Outlook - The ongoing restructuring of small and medium-sized banks is anticipated to continue into 2026, with a focus on quality improvement and effective integration as the core theme [21].