2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2026-02-26 13:55Core Viewpoint - Major banks in China, including Industrial and Agricultural Banks, have raised the margin requirement for personal precious metals deferred business from 80% to 100% to mitigate risks associated with increased market volatility in precious metals [1][3][5]. Group 1: Market Conditions - The international precious metals market has shown strong performance, with spot gold prices rebounding to over $5,200 per ounce as of February 26, 2026, indicating a continued upward trend [1]. - The price of gold has surged nearly 65% throughout 2025, with prices exceeding $5,500 per ounce in 2026, attracting a significant number of individual investors and amplifying market risks [8]. Group 2: Bank Actions - Agricultural Bank announced on February 25, 2026, that it would increase the margin requirement for various precious metals contracts to 100% starting from the market close on February 26, 2026, citing heightened market risks [3]. - Industrial Bank followed suit, adjusting the margin for personal clients' contracts to 100% effective February 27, 2026, as a proactive measure to protect investors [5]. Group 3: Contract Types - The contracts affected by the margin increase include Au (T+D), mAu (T+D), and Ag (T+D), which represent different types of gold and silver deferred contracts, allowing investors to choose between immediate or deferred delivery [7][8]. - The adjustment in margin requirements effectively reduces the leverage for trading, moving from a leverage of approximately 1.25 times to 1 time, thereby encouraging more rational investment behavior among clients [8]. Group 4: Industry Trends - Prior to the margin increase, several banks had begun to tighten their personal precious metals trading operations, with some banks announcing the closure of related business functionalities for clients without positions or debts [9]. - The tightening of margin requirements and the closure of certain trading functionalities reflect a broader trend among financial institutions to manage risks in a volatile market environment [9].