21世纪经济报道·2025-06-11 03:43Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the declining availability and interest rates of large-denomination time deposits in China, highlighting a shift in the banking sector's focus towards high-net-worth clients and the impact of market interest rate changes on deposit products [2][4][16]. Summary by Sections Availability of Large-Denomination Time Deposits - Many banks, including major state-owned and joint-stock banks, have removed five-year and some three-year large-denomination time deposit products from their offerings, now primarily providing two-year options [2][7]. - For example, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has no five-year large-denomination time deposits available, with one-year and two-year rates at 1.2% and three-year rates at 1.55% respectively [3][10]. Interest Rate Trends - The majority of banks have seen their maximum annualized interest rates for large-denomination time deposits drop to the 1% range, with some banks offering rates as low as 0.9% for one-month deposits, which are now lower than many money market funds [4][6][11]. - The three-year large-denomination time deposit rates have decreased by approximately 80 basis points compared to the previous year, reflecting a broader trend of declining deposit rates in response to market conditions [15][16]. Market Dynamics and Client Focus - In the current environment, banks are focusing on managing their liability costs and optimizing client structures, with a notable shift towards serving high-net-worth clients [5][17]. - The article notes that some banks are promoting the transfer of existing high-rate large-denomination time deposits as a strategy to attract clients seeking better returns [13]. Regional Variations in Rates - There are discrepancies in interest rates for the same large-denomination time deposit products across different regions, indicating a localized approach to deposit pricing [14][19]. Competitive Landscape - The competition among banks has intensified, leading to a reduction in deposit interest rates as banks seek to lower their funding costs while still growing their deposit bases [18][19].