中小银行存款利率调整现“温差”

Core Viewpoint - The adjustment of deposit rates by small and medium-sized banks at the beginning of 2026 shows a clear differentiation, with some banks raising rates while others are lowering them, reflecting a strategic response to the pressures of net interest margin and the need for effective deposit acquisition strategies [1][3][6]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Adjustments - Several small and medium-sized banks have announced adjustments to their deposit rates, with some increasing rates for specific products while others adopt a "long rise, short fall" strategy [3][5]. - For instance, Shanxi Hunyuan Rural Commercial Bank raised its one-year fixed deposit rate from 1.40% to 1.45%, while Henan Rural Commercial Bank increased rates across multiple terms [3][5]. - Conversely, New An Bank announced a reduction in rates for various deposit products, with the one-year rate dropping to 1.85% [5]. Group 2: Differentiated Strategies - The differentiation in deposit rate adjustments is attributed to varying operational conditions among banks, including differences in liability structures and regional funding supply-demand dynamics [5][9]. - Some banks are raising rates to attract deposits due to competitive pressures, while others are lowering rates to manage high-cost liabilities [5][8]. - The phenomenon of interest rate inversion, where longer-term rates are lower than shorter-term rates, indicates banks' expectations of future rate declines and their strategies to manage funding costs [4][6]. Group 3: Net Interest Margin Pressure - The average net interest margin for commercial banks has stabilized at 1.42%, with significant differences observed among various types of banks [7]. - Small and medium-sized banks face greater pressure on their net interest margins due to their need to offer higher rates to attract deposits and the higher risk associated with their lending practices [7][8]. - The ongoing pressure on net interest margins is prompting banks to adopt more strategic pricing choices, particularly in a low-interest-rate environment [4][6]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The overall trend suggests that deposit rates may continue to experience downward pressure, with small and medium-sized banks likely to employ short-term rate increases to attract deposits while facing long-term challenges [6][9]. - The future of deposit rate adjustments will depend on banks' operational capabilities and their ability to differentiate services to enhance competitiveness [8][9]. - As the market for deposit rates becomes more competitive, banks will need to focus on improving customer service and leveraging digital financial technologies to manage risks and reduce costs [8][9].