Core Viewpoint - The National Financial Regulatory Administration has issued a revised "Trust Company Management Measures," marking the first comprehensive revision since its implementation in 2007, effective from January 1, 2026, aimed at enhancing regulatory frameworks and risk management in the trust industry [1]. Summary by Sections Minimum Capital Requirements and Business Restrictions - The minimum registered capital for trust companies has been raised from 300 million RMB to 500 million RMB or its equivalent in freely convertible currency, requiring a one-time cash capital contribution [3]. - Trust companies are mandated to focus on their core responsibilities and adhere to the principle of "seller responsibility, buyer risk," breaking the rigid guarantee of returns [3]. - Multiple business red lines have been established, prohibiting promises of capital protection, misleading investors, and engaging in certain high-risk activities [3]. Business Structure and Operations - The revised measures restructure the business scope of trust companies, limiting operations to asset service trusts, asset management trusts, and charitable trusts [5]. - New provisions allow trust companies to apply for liquidity loans from shareholders and the Trust Industry Guarantee Fund, while prohibiting external guarantees [5][6]. Corporate Governance Reforms - The measures enhance corporate governance by requiring the establishment of a specialized committee for the protection of client rights, led by independent directors [7]. - Trust companies must conduct regular evaluations of shareholders and report any violations, with provisions for whistleblowing by employees and external auditors [7][8]. Risk Management and Internal Controls - The measures emphasize the need for robust internal controls and risk management, focusing on compliance and operational risk [10]. - Trust companies are required to conduct annual external audits covering all business areas, ensuring comprehensive oversight [10]. Cultural and Ethical Standards - Trust companies are encouraged to foster a culture of integrity and compliance, promoting principles such as honesty, prudence, and legal adherence [9].

Core Viewpoint - The Financial Regulatory Bureau has revised the "Trust Company Management Measures" to enhance the trust industry by focusing on its core responsibilities, deepening reforms, and effectively preventing risks [1][2]. Group 1: Main Revisions - The revised measures emphasize the core business of trust companies, adjusting their business scope to focus on asset service trusts, asset management trusts, and public welfare trusts, while breaking the rigid repayment model [7][8]. - The measures aim to strengthen corporate governance by integrating party building with corporate governance, enhancing shareholder behavior management, and establishing internal assessment mechanisms [7][9]. - Risk prevention is prioritized, with a focus on compliance management and operational risk, requiring comprehensive risk management throughout the trust business process [7][10]. Group 2: Business Scope Adjustments - The business scope has been narrowed to three main areas: asset service trusts, asset management trusts, and public welfare trusts, while eliminating unrelated intermediary businesses [8]. - New provisions allow trust companies to apply for liquidity support loans from the Trust Industry Guarantee Fund Company and to issue bonds directed at shareholders and related parties [8]. Group 3: Corporate Governance Requirements - Trust companies are required to establish a specialized committee for the protection of the rights of clients and beneficiaries, led by independent directors [9]. - There are enhanced requirements for managing shareholder behavior and related transactions, including regular evaluations and reporting of violations [9]. Group 4: Risk Management and Internal Controls - Trust companies must strengthen internal controls and risk management, ensuring that risk preferences align with risk management capabilities [10][11]. - The measures specify requirements for the entire trust business process, including documentation, risk disclosure, and asset management [10]. Group 5: Recovery and Disposal Arrangements - The revised measures enhance the enforceability and operability of recovery and disposal plans, allowing trust companies to seek liquidity support and issue bonds [12]. Group 6: Rectification of Existing Trust Businesses - Trust companies are required to identify and rectify existing businesses in accordance with the new measures, with progress monitored by the Financial Regulatory Bureau [13].

Family Office Highlights - Forbes China and Meichuan Thinking have launched the "2025 Forbes China Family Asset Manager Selection" to promote family culture and asset management significance, showcasing excellence in family asset management [8] - The National Financial Regulatory Administration plans to revise the "Trust Company Management Measures" and establish "Asset Management Trust Management Measures" in 2025, signaling significant changes in the trust industry [9] Macro Focus - The Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China emphasized the need to stabilize the real estate market and capital markets, implementing measures to address local government debt and enhance housing supply [12] - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is focused on expanding effective investment in manufacturing and stimulating private investment to support industrial growth [13] Investment Insights - New fund issuance in 2025 has exceeded 300 billion yuan, with equity funds accounting for nearly half of the total [17] - JPMorgan predicts that international gold prices may exceed $4,000 per ounce by Q2 2026, driven by economic recession risks and strong central bank demand [17] - High-profile executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, have sold significant amounts of company stock, with Zuckerberg selling 1.1 million shares of Meta for approximately 7.33 billion yuan [18][19] Corporate News - Cantor, in collaboration with Tether and SoftBank, is establishing a cryptocurrency platform with nearly $3 billion in funding [21] - Tesla's new car sales in Europe fell by 45% year-on-year in Q1 2025, amid a broader decline in traditional fuel vehicle registrations [22][23] - Elon Musk's xAI is negotiating to raise about $20 billion, potentially valuing the company at over $120 billion [23] - Apple and Meta were fined a total of 700 million euros by the EU for violating the Digital Markets Act [24] Global Perspective - Japanese institutions sold over $21.1 billion in foreign bonds in the first two weeks of April, marking one of the largest sell-offs since 2005 [26] - The Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund reported a loss of approximately $39.7 billion in Q1 2025, primarily due to volatility in the tech sector [27]