Orient Securities·2025-07-24 02:15Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the banking industry [7] Core Insights - The overall non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of listed banks has shown a steady decline since 2021, with a potential hidden NPL ratio of approximately 5 basis points by the end of 2024 [4][10] - Credit costs have been decreasing, leading to a robust provisioning buffer, with the provisioning coverage ratio and loan-to-provision ratio standing at 238% and 2.93% respectively as of Q1 2025 [4][10] - The report emphasizes that the current asset quality pressure on banks is expected to be better than in previous cycles, primarily due to the diversified nature of household loans and supportive regulatory policies [9][10] Summary by Sections Understanding the Relationship Between Economic Debt Cycles and Banking Risk Cycles - The report discusses how the debt of the real economy corresponds to the assets of banks, with credit expansion flowing from banks to the economy and risk exposure arising from debt risks in the economy [9][16] Historical Overview of Excess Capacity and Non-Performing Loans - From 2008 onwards, the banking sector experienced a cycle of rising non-performing loans, particularly in the corporate sector, driven by excess capacity and deteriorating profitability [21][27] - The macro leverage ratio increased significantly during 2009 and 2012-2014, with corporate sectors being the main contributors to this leverage [21][25] Current Debt Cycle and Asset Quality - The report indicates that while household sector risks are still evolving, the asset quality pressure on banks is expected to be more manageable compared to previous cycles [9][10] - The provisioning levels remain robust, with a significant decline in credit costs, indicating a strong safety net for banks [4][10] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on high-dividend banks in anticipation of a potential reduction in insurance premium rates, recommending banks such as China Construction Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China [10] - It also highlights the strong performance of small and medium-sized banks, suggesting continued interest in banks like Industrial Bank and CITIC Bank based on various factors including valuation and dividend yield [10]