Bei Jing Shang Bao·2026-01-08 06:43Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to raise the risk acceptance level for personal gold accumulation business to C3 (balanced) and above has triggered significant changes in the precious metals investment market, reflecting a broader industry trend towards stricter risk management in response to increased market volatility and rising gold prices [1][6]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Major banks have collectively raised the entry-level risk tolerance for gold accumulation products to at least a balanced level (C3), with some banks even setting it to aggressive levels, indicating a comprehensive industry-wide upgrade in risk control measures [1][3][4]. - The international gold price has surpassed $4,400 per ounce, prompting banks to filter out investors with lower risk tolerance to prevent significant losses due to market volatility [6][7]. Group 2: Bank-Specific Requirements - ICBC requires personal clients to achieve a C3 (balanced) risk assessment result to engage in gold accumulation business, a shift from the previous requirement of C1 (conservative) [3][4]. - Other banks, such as Postal Savings Bank and Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank, have also raised their risk assessment standards, with some requiring a minimum of C3 or higher for participation in gold accumulation products [4][6]. - Banks like China CITIC Bank and Ningbo Bank have announced future adjustments to their risk assessment requirements, aligning with the trend of increasing risk thresholds for gold investment [6][7]. Group 3: Investor Behavior and Risks - There is a growing concern about investors attempting to misrepresent their risk tolerance in order to qualify for gold accumulation products, which undermines the integrity of the risk assessment process [8][9]. - The industry is urged to enhance investor education and awareness regarding the risks associated with gold investments, especially in a volatile market environment [8][9].