Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommend" rating for the banking industry in Zhejiang Province, highlighting its strong potential due to the active private economy and favorable financial environment [2]. Core Insights - The banking sector in Zhejiang, particularly Hangzhou Bank, is positioned as a high-potential financial partner, benefiting from the region's economic vitality and robust growth in various financial services [3][8]. - The report emphasizes the resilience of Zhejiang's economy, with a GDP growth rate consistently above the national average, despite challenges such as trade friction [9][20]. - The analysis identifies several unlisted banks in Zhejiang as potential investment opportunities, focusing on their profitability, growth potential, and asset quality [8][9]. Summary by Sections 1. Overview of Zhejiang's Private Economy - Zhejiang's private economy reached 6.1 trillion yuan in 2024, accounting for 67.4% of the province's GDP, contributing over 70% of tax revenue and 80% of imports and exports [13][20]. - The province has a strong entrepreneurial culture, with a historical reliance on private economic forces due to limited state support [19][20]. 2. Economic Structure - The primary industries in Zhejiang are wholesale and retail, and manufacturing, with the service sector contributing approximately 60% to the GDP [26][30]. - The province's export dependency is significant, with over 40% of GDP derived from exports, and a notable reliance on the U.S. market [35][39]. 3. Banking Sector Characteristics - Zhejiang has a diverse banking landscape with 168 legal entities, including 13 city commercial banks and 82 rural commercial banks, primarily serving small and medium-sized enterprises [56][57]. - The report highlights the strong profitability and asset quality of listed city commercial banks like Hangzhou Bank and Ningbo Bank, which focus on different customer segments [57][59]. 4. Hidden Gems in Banking - The report identifies six unlisted city commercial banks and 25 rural commercial banks in Zhejiang with strong ROE and low non-performing loan ratios as potential investment targets [8][9][56]. 5. Investment Recommendations - Investors are encouraged to focus on the high-growth potential of banks in Zhejiang, particularly listed banks that may be undervalued, as well as exploring opportunities in unlisted banks [8][9].
区域经济转型升级系列(四):浙江民营经济活跃,改革发展领先,培育金融沃土