新华网财经·2025-05-22 02:41Core Viewpoint - The recent reduction in deposit rates by nine joint-stock banks follows the lead of the six major state-owned banks, indicating a broader trend in the banking sector to lower interest rates in response to the central bank's monetary policy adjustments [1][4]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Adjustments - On May 21, seven joint-stock banks announced a reduction in their deposit rates, with a decrease of 15 basis points for 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year fixed deposits, and a 25 basis points reduction for 3-year and 5-year fixed deposits [1][2]. - The new deposit rates for various terms at China Merchants Bank are set at 0.95% for 1-year, 1.05% for 2-year, 1.25% for 3-year, and 1.30% for 5-year deposits, while other banks have slightly different rates [1][2]. Group 2: LPR and Monetary Policy - The Loan Prime Rate (LPR) was also adjusted downwards, with the 5-year LPR at 3.5% and the 1-year LPR at 3%, both down by 10 basis points [4]. - Analysts suggest that the central bank is establishing a transmission mechanism from policy rates to LPR and deposit rates, indicating a coordinated approach to monetary policy [4][6]. Group 3: Implications for the Financial Market - The reduction in deposit rates is expected to lower the cost of liabilities for financial institutions and enhance the attractiveness of bond assets compared to loan assets, potentially leading to increased investment in the bond market [4][6]. - The average reduction in deposit rates is greater than that of the LPR, which reflects a strategy to protect bank interest margins while supporting the real economy [6].