网商银行，“坚守”之不易

Core Viewpoint - Zhejiang Webank has rapidly developed into a medium-sized commercial bank over the past decade, leveraging its unique online-only model and focus on small and micro enterprises, while maintaining a strong relationship with Ant Group [4][22]. Group 1: Company Overview - Zhejiang Webank, established in 2015, is one of China's first private banks, initiated by Ant Group and several private enterprises, headquartered in Hangzhou [1]. - By the end of 2024, Webank's total assets reached 471.035 billion, an increase of 7.66 times since 2016, with operating income of 21.314 billion and net profit of 3.166 billion, marking increases of 8.08 times and 10.02 times respectively [4][8]. Group 2: Business Model - Unlike traditional banks, Webank operates without physical branches, relying on a high proportion of technology personnel (67%) and focusing on online services [3]. - The bank's liability structure is primarily based on deposits, with a deposit ratio of 77.15% by the end of 2024, similar to major state-owned banks [9]. Group 3: Loan Structure - Webank has maintained a focus on serving small and micro enterprises, with personal loans consistently accounting for over 60% of its loan portfolio, reaching 68.44% by the end of 2024 [13][15]. - The bank's loans are predominantly business-related, with personal loans primarily for business purposes, contrasting with other banks that may focus on consumer loans [15][18]. Group 4: Financial Performance - Webank's net interest margin stood at 3.60% in 2024, significantly higher than the overall commercial banking sector's average of 1.52%, attributed to its unique deposit structure [11][20]. - However, the bank's non-performing loan ratio reached 2.30% by the end of 2024, higher than the industry average of 1.50%, indicating increased risk associated with its focus on business loans [18][20]. Group 5: Strategic Positioning - Webank's strategy emphasizes supporting "business entities," aligning with Ant Group's mission to facilitate business operations, which is crucial for stimulating grassroots economic activity [22]. - The bank's approach has led to significant growth, positioning it among medium-sized banks while facing challenges related to the inherent risks of business lending [22].