Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-06 11:05Core Viewpoint - The price of gold has continued to rise, currently hovering around $4,450 per ounce, with the investment market remaining active. Industrial and commercial bank (ICBC) has announced an adjustment to the risk assessment levels for personal gold accumulation business, marking it as the first major bank to raise the investment risk level in 2026, which may lead to more banks following suit [1][10]. Group 1: ICBC's Risk Assessment Adjustment - ICBC will require personal clients to undergo a risk assessment and achieve a C3-balanced rating or higher to engage in gold accumulation activities starting January 12, 2026 [3][12]. - Existing clients with valid risk assessment results are exempt from retesting, and operations such as redemption and account cancellation are not subject to the new requirements [3][12]. - This adjustment reflects a broader trend, as some other banks had already raised risk ratings for similar products in the previous year [3][12][14]. Group 2: Market Conditions and Bank Responses - The adjustment in risk ratings is primarily due to the high volatility and rising gold prices, with banks aiming to protect investors and align product risk levels with actual market conditions [5][14]. - Analysts suggest that the increase in risk levels is also influenced by regulatory pressures to enhance investor suitability management and to curb speculative behaviors [5][15]. - The move by ICBC is expected to have a demonstration effect, prompting other banks to follow suit in raising risk assessment standards [6][15]. Group 3: Gold Market Outlook - Gold has shown a remarkable performance, with a 3% increase in just a few trading days at the start of 2026, and analysts predict a continued bullish trend [7][15]. - Bank of America forecasts an average gold price of $4,538 per ounce in 2026, with a potential optimistic scenario reaching $5,000 [7][16]. - The demand for gold is expected to grow significantly, with a 14% increase in investment demand potentially pushing prices to $5,000, and a 55% increase could lead to $8,000 [8][16].