Core Viewpoint - Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank has been approved for securities investment fund custody qualifications, making it the first commercial bank to receive this approval in the current year [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Custody Qualification - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has granted Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank the qualification to conduct securities investment fund custody business, emphasizing the need to adhere to regulations and protect the rights of fund shareholders [3]. - Fund custody involves banks or financial institutions safeguarding fund assets, handling settlement, reviewing net asset values, supervising investments, and convening shareholder meetings [3]. - A total of 37 banks have obtained fund custody qualifications, including 6 state-owned banks, 12 joint-stock banks, 11 city commercial banks, 3 rural commercial banks, and 5 foreign banks [3]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Fund custody business is a significant source of intermediary income for commercial banks, characterized by low capital requirements, making it a vital revenue stream [3]. - Many regional banks are entering the fund custody market, with several others, including Chengdu Rural Commercial Bank and Inner Mongolia Merchants Bank, in the queue for custody qualifications [3]. - As of now, the total assets under public fund custody exceed 33 trillion yuan, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China leading at 4.48 trillion yuan, holding a market share of 13.78% [3]. Group 3: Regulatory Changes - The CSRC has proposed revisions to the "Securities Investment Fund Custody Business Management Measures," focusing on industry issues such as the concentration of custody services among a few banks and the need for clearer business boundaries [5][6]. - The revisions aim to enhance entry requirements, strengthen risk isolation, and clarify the responsibilities of custodians, ensuring that they focus on their core duties [6][7]. - New mechanisms for market exit are being established, including conditions for license cancellation and the establishment of specialized subsidiaries for custody services by high-quality institutions [7].