Core Insights - The A-share banking sector has not seen new listings for over two years since Lanzhou Bank's IPO in 2022, with the listing process for small and medium-sized banks significantly slowing down [1] - Despite the slowdown, there are still 15 banks in the preparatory phase for listing, with 14 banks recently disclosing their latest progress reports [1][2] - Common issues among these banks include asset ownership irregularities, the need for optimized equity management, and capital replenishment challenges [1][2][10] Asset Ownership Issues - Asset ownership problems are prevalent among the banks, with issues such as unregistered properties and non-compliance in leasing agreements [3][4] - For instance, Gansu Bank reported ongoing efforts to complete ownership documentation for properties valued at approximately 143 million yuan [3] - Other banks like Wenzhou Bank and Guilin Bank also face similar asset ownership challenges, including unregistered properties and incomplete leasing contracts [4] Equity Management Challenges - Many banks are struggling with complex equity structures, unqualified shareholders, and instances of illegal shareholding [5][6] - For example, Urumqi Bank has a complicated equity structure due to historical reasons and is working on capital expansion to rectify this [6] - Jiangsu Jiangnan Rural Commercial Bank has exceeded the permissible shareholding limit for individual employees, which violates regulatory requirements [6][7] Capital Replenishment Pressures - Capital adequacy remains a critical issue for many small and medium-sized banks, with ongoing pressures despite some banks issuing capital tools and expanding capital [10][11] - HanKou Bank, for instance, has implemented capital expansion measures but still faces challenges in maintaining adequate capital levels, with a capital adequacy ratio of 14.38% as of the end of 2024 [11] - The need for additional capital sources is emphasized as these banks aim to enhance their ability to serve the real economy and mitigate risks [10][12] Listing Process and Regulatory Environment - The regulatory environment has intensified scrutiny on the authenticity and completeness of information disclosure, particularly under the new registration system [1][9] - Banks must address issues related to asset ownership, equity structure, and capital replenishment before they can progress to the IPO application stage [12] - Currently, only five banks remain in the A-share IPO queue, with some at various stages of the application process [12]

Core Viewpoint - The IPO process for small and medium-sized banks in China has significantly slowed down, with 15 banks currently in the listing guidance period, facing common issues related to asset ownership, equity management, and capital supplementation [1][10]. Group 1: Listing Progress and Challenges - Since the listing of Lanzhou Bank in 2022, no new banks have entered the A-share market, and the listing process for small and medium-sized banks has noticeably decelerated [1]. - Despite the slowdown, 15 banks are still in the listing guidance phase, with 14 banks recently disclosing their guidance progress reports [1][10]. - Common issues among these banks include asset ownership irregularities, the need for equity management optimization, and capital supplementation challenges [1][10]. Group 2: Asset Ownership Issues - Asset ownership problems are prevalent among many banks, with issues such as unregistered properties and incomplete documentation being frequently reported [4][5]. - For instance, Gansu Bank has been working on rectifying ownership issues for properties valued at approximately 143 million yuan, which remain unresolved [4][5]. - Other banks, like Wenzhou Bank and Guilin Bank, also face similar asset ownership challenges, including unregistered rental properties and incomplete ownership documentation [5][6]. Group 3: Equity Management Optimization - Many banks are struggling with complex equity structures, non-compliant shareholder qualifications, and instances of illegal shareholding [6][7]. - For example, Urumqi Bank has a complicated equity structure due to historical reasons and is currently working on capital expansion to optimize its equity structure [6]. - Violations of shareholding regulations have been noted in banks like Huishang Bank and Jiangnan Rural Commercial Bank, where individual employee shareholdings exceed the regulatory limit [6][7]. Group 4: Capital Supplementation Challenges - Capital adequacy remains a critical issue for many small and medium-sized banks, with ongoing pressures despite some banks having issued capital tools and expanded capital [10][11]. - HanKou Bank, for instance, has implemented capital expansion measures but still faces challenges in maintaining adequate capital levels, with a capital adequacy ratio of 14.38% as of the end of 2024, an increase of 2.54 percentage points from the previous year [11]. - The need for additional capital sources is emphasized as these banks aim to enhance their ability to serve the real economy and mitigate risks [10][11].

Core Insights - The A-share banking sector has experienced a prolonged period without new listings, with the last IPO being Lanzhou Bank in January 2022, until Dongguan Bank and Guangdong Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank recently had their IPO status restored to "accepted" [1][3][4] - Dongguan Bank has faced numerous challenges since proposing its IPO in 2008, including multiple application terminations and audit suspensions, while Guangdong Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank has similarly faced a lengthy process since initiating its IPO in 2018 [4][5] - In contrast, Guangdong Shunde Rural Commercial Bank has withdrawn its IPO application, reducing the number of banks waiting to list in A-shares to five, amidst a challenging environment characterized by narrowing net interest margins and asset quality pressures [1][8] Company Summaries - Dongguan Bank reported a revenue of 10.197 billion yuan in 2024, a decrease of 3.69% year-on-year, and a net profit of 3.738 billion yuan, down 8.1% [5] - Guangdong Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank achieved a revenue of 6.429 billion yuan, a decline of 6.3%, but its net profit increased by 2.99% to 2.453 billion yuan [5] - Guangdong Shunde Rural Commercial Bank, which has withdrawn its IPO application, was established in 1952 and underwent a transformation into a rural commercial bank in 2009 [6][7] Market Context - The A-share market has not seen new bank listings since Lanzhou Bank, with many banks considering the Hong Kong market as an alternative due to the high barriers and uncertainties in A-shares [9][10] - Yibin Bank successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in January 2025, but its stock performance was lackluster, reflecting the challenges faced by small and medium-sized banks in the Hong Kong market [9][10] - The overall environment for bank IPOs is complicated by regulatory demands for sustainable profitability, leading some banks to withdraw their applications due to poor financial performance [8][10]

Core Viewpoint - The IPO application of Shunde Rural Commercial Bank has been withdrawn, marking the end of its nearly six-year journey towards listing, and it is the second small bank to withdraw its application this year [1][3]. Group 1: IPO Withdrawal and Market Context - Shunde Rural Commercial Bank's IPO application was submitted in 2019 and was accepted, but it faced delays and issues with financial data updates, leading to its eventual withdrawal [3][4]. - The current environment for small banks seeking to list on the A-share market has become increasingly challenging, with only five banks remaining in the queue for IPOs [1][6]. - The overall trend shows a slowdown in the IPO process for small banks, with several banks withdrawing their applications in recent years, particularly after the implementation of the comprehensive registration system [6][7]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Capital Adequacy - As of the end of 2024, Shunde Rural Commercial Bank reported total assets of 471.99 billion yuan, with capital adequacy ratios above regulatory minimums: 14.90% for capital adequacy, 12.71% for tier 1 capital, and 12.04% for core tier 1 capital [3][4]. - Despite maintaining adequate capital ratios, the bank has faced declining profitability, with net profit decreasing for three consecutive years, including a 7.89% drop in 2024 [3][4]. Group 3: Future Outlook and Strategic Adjustments - The bank's withdrawal from the IPO process is attributed to strategic planning adjustments, with intentions to potentially reinitiate the process based on market conditions [4][5]. - Other small banks in Guangdong, such as Dongguan Bank and Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank, are still in the IPO queue, having updated their financial data recently [5][6].

Core Viewpoint - The annual reports of three banks in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area—Dongguan Bank, Shunde Rural Commercial Bank, and Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank—reveal a mixed performance in terms of revenue and net profit, with all three banks experiencing a significant decline in net interest margins [2][4][6]. Group 1: IPO Progress and Challenges - Dongguan Bank was the first to initiate its IPO plan in March 2008, but faced multiple setbacks, including a halted review in 2014 and a stalled process since 2025 due to outdated financial data [3][4]. - As of March 2023, all three banks had their IPO applications moved to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, but their progress has been repeatedly interrupted due to the need for updated financial information [4][5]. - The total assets of the three banks exceeded 300 billion yuan, with Dongguan Bank at 672.73 billion yuan, Shunde Rural Commercial Bank at 481.05 billion yuan, and Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank at 334.85 billion yuan [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Dongguan Bank reported a revenue decrease of 3.69% to 10.197 billion yuan and a net profit decline of 8.20% to 3.733 billion yuan, attributed to market changes and increased support for small and micro enterprises [6][7]. - Shunde Rural Commercial Bank's revenue slightly increased by 1.24% to 8.49 billion yuan, but net profit fell by 8.54% to 3.169 billion yuan, with a narrowing net interest margin from 1.65% to 1.40% [7][8]. - Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank's revenue decreased by 6.30% to 6.429 billion yuan, while net profit grew by 2.99% to 2.453 billion yuan, with a net interest margin contraction from 1.72% to 1.34% [8]. Group 3: Asset Quality and Capital Adequacy - As of the end of 2024, Dongguan Bank's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio rose to 1.01%, while Shunde Rural Commercial Bank's NPL ratio increased to 1.61%. In contrast, Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank's NPL ratio decreased to 1.43% [5]. - Capital adequacy ratios showed improvement across the banks, with Dongguan Bank at 13.93%, Shunde Rural Commercial Bank at 14.90%, and Nanhai Rural Commercial Bank significantly increasing to 16.15% [4].