NORTHEAST SECURITIES·2025-07-24 06:14Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the banking sector, consistent with the previous rating [6]. Core Insights - The impact of the current "anti-involution" trend on credit is expected to be small overall, but slightly greater than the effects observed during the supply-side reform period from 2015 to 2017 [11][12]. - Credit management is a crucial tool for banks in responding to supply-side reforms, primarily through reducing credit exposure to overcapacity industries and refining client lists to limit loan amounts [12][13]. - The report suggests that the current banking environment is facing a credit slowdown, which may amplify the impact of "anti-involution" on credit growth [13]. Summary by Sections Investment Suggestions - The report recommends focusing on banks such as Xiamen Bank, Chongqing Bank, Yucheng Rural Commercial Bank, Shanghai Bank, and Shanghai Agricultural Bank, as well as major state-owned banks [2][57]. Historical Context and Data Analysis - During the supply-side reform period, the year-on-year growth rates of RMB credit were 14%, 13.5%, and 13.5% from 2015 to 2017, with social financing growth rates of 12.5%, 12.6%, and 14.8% respectively, indicating limited impact on credit pulses [12][13]. - The analysis shows that the impact of supply-side reform on credit was less than 1%, with a more significant effect on joint-stock banks compared to state-owned banks [18][22]. Credit Management and Asset Quality - Credit management during the supply-side reform led to a notable increase in non-performing loan (NPL) ratios in overcapacity industries, with a significant rise in overall NPL ratios for listed banks in the second half of 2016 [13][32]. - The report indicates that the "anti-involution" trend may lead to a similar, albeit slightly larger, impact on credit quality compared to the previous reforms, particularly affecting private enterprises more than state-owned ones [11][45]. Industry Trends and Projections - The report highlights that the proportion of private enterprises in the affected industries has increased compared to the supply-side reform period, suggesting that credit control measures may disproportionately impact these firms [45]. - It notes that the current banking sector is experiencing a degree of asset scarcity, which could further exacerbate the effects of credit management policies [45][46].