“消失”的银行监事长

Core Viewpoint - The bank supervisory board system, in operation for nearly 30 years, is approaching its end as banks begin to abolish this structure in favor of audit committees, following new regulations from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the Financial Regulatory Bureau [2][3][4]. Regulatory Framework for Reform - The new Company Law, effective from July 2024, allows financial institutions to replace supervisory boards with audit committees, fundamentally changing the requirement for supervisory boards as mandatory entities [3][4]. - The Financial Regulatory Bureau has issued policies that support the transition, allowing financial institutions to choose between retaining supervisory boards or establishing audit committees to perform supervisory functions [3][4]. Differences in Implementation - There is a differentiation in the approach to abolishing supervisory boards between listed and non-listed banks, with listed banks required to eliminate supervisory boards by 2026, while non-listed banks have the option to retain them [4][5]. - Major state-owned banks have already initiated the process of abolishing supervisory boards, with the five largest banks voting to remove them in April 2025 [5]. Effectiveness and Challenges of Supervisory Boards - The supervisory board has been criticized for its lack of independence, professionalism, and efficiency, often leading to overlapping functions and ineffective oversight [6][7]. - The costs associated with maintaining a supervisory board are significant, with estimates suggesting that listed banks could save millions annually by abolishing this structure [7]. Transition Paths for Supervisory Board Members - Former supervisory board members may transition to roles within the audit committee, take on positions in other financial institutions, or retire from the industry [8]. - The governance mechanism is expected to become more efficient, with fewer decision-making layers and a more direct oversight structure through audit committees [8].