近日，由新疆农村信用社改制而成的新疆农村商业银行揭牌开业。该行经过改革重组，改变了以往农信 机构"小、散、弱"的局面，抗风险能力和综合实力显著增强，这对夯实主责主业、服务实体经济具有重 要意义。 2024年以来，我国农信系统加快推进改革化险，中小金融机构改革落地见效。截至2025年8月末，已有 11家省级联社完成省级法人机构组建。其中，浙江、山西、广西、四川、江西、江苏6省份采用联合银 行模式挂牌开业；辽宁、海南、河南、内蒙古、吉林5省份采用统一法人农商银行模式挂牌开业。 苏商银行特约研究员薛洪言表示，中小银行整合改革目前正处在加速推进阶段，呈现出清晰的"减量提 质"趋势。这也是银行深化金融体制改革、推进金融助力区域经济发展的重要标志之一。多地银行将省 内分散的机构合并为规模更大、实力更强的统一法人，其核心目标是系统性解决中小银行长期存在的问 题，通过提升单体机构的资本实力与抗风险能力，从而增强银行体系服务地方经济的效能。 政策层面为推动改革提供了明确的指引和要求。2025年中央经济工作会议提出"深入推进中小金融机构 减量提质"。国家金融监督管理总局提出，加快推进中小金融机构改革化险。坚持上下统筹、分工包 案 ...

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing reform wave in rural banks is transforming them into branches of larger banking institutions, enhancing their risk resistance and service capabilities while maintaining their focus on local economies [1][2][4]. Group 1: Reform Trends - Over 250 rural banks have been deregistered since 2025 due to regulatory approvals for mergers or dissolutions [1]. - Many rural banks are transitioning to become branches of state-owned banks, joint-stock banks, or urban commercial banks through models like "village to branch" and "village to division" [1][4]. - In December alone, nearly 50 rural banks were approved for mergers or dissolutions by regulatory authorities [2]. Group 2: Structural Changes - The restructuring of rural banks can occur through four main methods: absorption by the main initiating bank, mergers of multiple rural banks, direct dissolution, or increasing shareholding in rural banks by the main initiating bank [4]. - The goal of these reforms is to optimize the quality of rural financial services and enhance support for agriculture and local economies [4][6]. Group 3: Service Continuity and Improvement - Despite the structural changes, the customer base remains the same, focusing on familiar local clients, and the service mission continues to support agriculture and small enterprises [6]. - Post-reform, the service capabilities and risk resistance of these banks have significantly improved, allowing them to offer services comparable to larger banks [6]. Group 4: Future Directions - The success of these reforms hinges on improving corporate governance to stimulate the internal motivation of small and medium-sized banks, ensuring they meet the diverse financial needs of the real economy [6]. - There is a call for these institutions to focus on their core business and differentiate their operations, avoiding blind expansion and homogenized competition [6].

Core Insights - The number of banking financial institutions in China has decreased from 4,295 at the end of 2024 to 4,070 by June 2025, a reduction of 225 institutions [1] - Rural financial institutions have seen a significant decline, with a total of 222 institutions exiting the market in the first half of the year, including a decrease of 98 village banks [1] - The exit rate of rural financial institutions has accelerated, with a total of 283 institutions reduced from 2022 to 2024, indicating a trend of rapid contraction [1] Summary by Category Overall Banking Sector - As of June 2025, the list of banking financial institutions includes 1 development financial institution, 2 policy banks, 6 large state-owned commercial banks, and 12 joint-stock commercial banks [1] - The total number of banking institutions has decreased significantly compared to previous years, indicating a consolidation trend in the sector [1] Rural Financial Institutions - The number of rural commercial banks stands at 1,505, down by 58 from the previous year, while rural cooperative banks have decreased to 20, a reduction of 3 [1] - Rural credit cooperatives have seen a decline of 57, bringing their total to 401, and rural mutual aid funds have decreased by 6 to 15 [1] - Village banks have reduced to 1,440, marking a significant drop of 98 institutions [1] Trends and Causes - The acceleration in the exit of rural financial institutions is attributed to ongoing reforms in small and medium-sized banks, which include mergers and restructuring [2] - The approval of new provincial banks indicates a trend of "survival of the fittest" within the banking sector, where stronger institutions are favored over weaker ones [2]

Core Viewpoint - Henan Rural Commercial Bank has announced the absorption and merger of 82 financial institutions, including rural commercial banks and village banks across nine cities in Henan province, which will now operate as branches of Henan Rural Commercial Bank [1] Group 1: Merger Details - The merger includes 55 rural commercial banks, 4 village banks, and 23 rural credit cooperatives [1] - Customers' existing accounts, cards, contracts, and agreements will remain valid, and services will continue unchanged [1] - The merger is part of a broader reform strategy for small and medium-sized banks in the Henan region [2] Group 2: Background and Previous Plans - The initial reform plan for the rural credit cooperatives in Henan proposed the establishment of "Henan Rural Commercial United Bank," which was approved in 2023 [2] - The new Henan Rural Commercial Bank was officially established on February 26, 2023, following the approval of its establishment by the National Financial Supervision Administration [1][2] - The restructuring of the banking system in Henan has faced changes, indicating a complex landscape for financial reforms in the region [3] Group 3: Challenges and Considerations - The joint bank model has not resolved issues related to the dual legal entity structure, raising questions about governance and operational efficiency [3] - The complexity of merging numerous legal entities in the Henan region contributes to the challenges faced in the reform process [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the merger of 82 rural financial institutions into Henan Rural Commercial Bank, which aims to streamline operations and enhance efficiency in the banking sector in Henan province [1][2]. Summary by Sections Announcement of Merger - On September 28, Henan Rural Commercial Bank announced the approval of its merger with 82 institutions, including rural commercial banks and village banks across nine cities in Henan [1]. - The merger will allow Henan Rural Commercial Bank to inherit all assets, liabilities, and rights from the absorbed institutions, which will now operate as branches of the bank [1]. Continuity of Services - The announcement assures customers that their accounts, cards, contracts, and services will remain unchanged and valid post-merger [2]. - The absorbed entities include 55 rural commercial banks, 4 village banks, and 23 rural credit cooperatives [2]. Background of the Reform - The reform of small and medium-sized banks in Henan has seen changes, with a previous plan to establish "Henan Rural Commercial United Bank" approved in 2022, which was later adjusted [3]. - The new plan for Henan Rural Commercial Bank was included in the government's economic measures for the second half of 2024, indicating a shift in strategy [3]. Challenges of the Reform - The article highlights the complexity of merging numerous legal entities in the Henan banking sector, which has led to adjustments in the reform plans [4]. - The previous "united bank" model did not resolve issues related to the dual legal entity structure, raising questions about governance and operational efficiency [4].

Core Insights - The overall profitability of commercial banks has significantly improved, but national banks are experiencing much higher growth rates compared to regional small and medium-sized banks, indicating a widening gap in performance [1] - Small and medium-sized banks face challenges in capital replenishment, governance structure, and asset quality, which are critical for their development [1] - The government has emphasized the need for reforms in the equity structure and corporate governance of small and medium-sized banks, as well as accelerating the disposal of non-performing assets [1] Group 1: Governance and Structural Issues - There is an urgent need to deepen the reform of equity and corporate governance in small and medium-sized banks due to inadequate governance and internal control systems [2] - Many small and medium-sized banks are exposed to risks from significant related-party transactions and internal control failures, which can lead to severe credit crises [2] - Improving corporate governance is essential to prevent small and medium-sized banks from becoming tools for major shareholders or executives, which would undermine their long-term sustainability [2] Group 2: Non-Performing Asset Management - Accelerating the disposal of non-performing assets is a key strategy for risk prevention and should be a current priority [3] - The overall non-performing loan rates for city commercial banks and rural commercial banks were reported at 1.9% and 3.63% respectively in Q4 2021, indicating a rise from the previous quarter [3] - There is a need for enhanced collaboration among various stakeholders to improve the capacity for managing non-performing assets in small and medium-sized banks [3] Group 3: Market Conditions and Future Outlook - Predictions indicate that the pressure for new credit supply will remain high in 2022, with an expected increase in new non-performing loans [4] - The market for non-performing assets is likely to expand, while the disposal methods currently employed by small and medium-sized banks are too limited [4] - Encouraging more market participants to engage in innovative disposal methods for non-performing assets is crucial for improving efficiency and effectiveness in asset management [4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that small and medium-sized banks are undergoing significant reforms and restructuring in China, with many institutions being merged or dissolved, particularly village and rural commercial banks [1][2] - In the first five months of this year, approximately 180 small and medium-sized banks have been approved for mergers or dissolutions, indicating a rapid decline in their numbers [1] - The restructuring wave includes the establishment of new financial entities, such as the Inner Mongolia Rural Commercial Bank, which was formed by consolidating over 100 institutions into a unified legal entity [1][2] Group 2 - As of the end of March this year, there are 3,713 banking institutions participating in deposit insurance, a decrease of 48 from the end of 2024, with village banks making up a significant portion of this reduction [2] - The total number of banking institutions in China has decreased from 4,490 at the end of 2023 to 4,295 by the end of 2024, with rural commercial banks, rural credit cooperatives, and village banks seeing notable declines [2] - The acceleration of "thinning" among small and medium-sized banks is attributed to various factors, including historical burdens, structural issues, and governance challenges [2][3] Group 3 - The risks associated with small banks are heightened due to their smaller size and weaker risk resistance, necessitating reforms to mitigate these risks [3] - The Chinese banking sector is facing increased operational pressure due to macroeconomic downturns and narrowing net interest margins, prompting the need for tailored risk mitigation strategies [3] - Regulatory authorities emphasize the importance of restructuring rural small and medium-sized banks to enhance their adaptability and competitiveness, advocating for a reduction in the number of institutions and improved management practices [3] Group 4 - Rural small and medium-sized banks play a crucial role in providing financial services in rural areas, significantly contributing to rural development and supporting initiatives such as rural revitalization and food security [4] - Accelerating reforms in rural small and medium-sized banks is expected to enhance the quality of financial services, facilitating diverse credit products that support infrastructure and living condition improvements in rural areas [4]