Core Insights - The People's Bank of China reported a significant increase in RMB deposits, with a total increase of 22.71 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2023, and a notable rise of 2.96 trillion yuan in September alone, marking the first month this year where household deposits exceeded 2 trillion yuan [1][2] Group 1: Deposit Trends - The surge in household deposits in September is attributed to traditional bank practices at the end of the quarter, as banks typically enhance deposit marketing efforts to meet regulatory requirements [2] - Despite fluctuations in financial products' yields and stock market conditions, the overall risk appetite of residents has not significantly changed, indicating a complex relationship between deposits and investment choices [2][4] Group 2: Financial Market Dynamics - The decline in bank wealth management products, which saw a reduction of 128.47 billion yuan in September compared to August, reflects a seasonal adjustment in the financial market [2] - The phenomenon of "funds moving" between deposits and non-bank financial institutions is ongoing, with expectations that this trend will continue as the capital market remains active [4][5] Group 3: Future Outlook - The dynamic balance of funds among deposits, wealth management, and the stock market is expected to become a norm, with the potential for a slow bull market in equities [5] - Financial institutions are encouraged to innovate and enhance their service offerings to retain deposits and attract investments, particularly through financial technology [3]

Core Viewpoint - The trend of deposit "migration" is emerging, with residents shifting their bank deposits towards funds and wealth management products, as indicated by multiple brokerage reports. Despite an increase in total deposits, there are signs of funds flowing into the wealth management market, leading to significant growth in wealth management income for several banks [2][3][4]. Group 1: Deposit Trends - In the first half of the year, the total deposit balance of 13 major commercial banks reached 187.4 trillion yuan, an increase of 13.78 trillion yuan year-on-year, with personal deposits totaling 112.07 trillion yuan, up 11.9 trillion yuan year-on-year [3]. - The trend of deposit regularization continues, with the proportion of time deposits among these banks at approximately 59.7%, an increase from 58.48% in the previous year [8][9]. - However, in July, new deposits from households decreased by 1.1 trillion yuan, indicating a potential shift in deposit behavior [4]. Group 2: Wealth Management Growth - The wealth management business of banks is expanding, with significant growth in income from wealth management services. For example, Agricultural Bank's agency business income grew by 62.3% in the first half of the year [4][5]. - The total scale of bank wealth management products reached 30.67 trillion yuan by the end of June, with an estimated increase to 32.67 trillion yuan by the end of July [4][10]. Group 3: Cost of Deposits - The average cost of deposits for the 13 banks was 1.61% in the first half of 2025, a decrease of 34 basis points compared to the same period in 2024 [10]. - The decline in deposit rates is expected to improve the cost of liabilities for banks, with projections indicating a reduction in costs for various types of banks in the coming years [10][11]. Group 4: Net Interest Margin - The net interest margin for commercial banks continued to narrow, reaching 1.42% in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting ongoing pressure on banks' profitability [12][13]. - Most banks reported a decline in net interest margins, with the average margin for the 13 banks at 1.5%, down 12 basis points year-on-year [13][15].

Core Viewpoint - The continuous decline in deposit rates, coupled with the concentration of fixed deposits maturing, is expected to significantly improve the cost of liabilities for banks [1][8]. Group 1: Deposit Trends - Recent reports indicate a trend of residents moving deposits from banks to other financial products such as funds and wealth management products [2][3]. - As of mid-2025, the total personal deposit balance of 13 major commercial banks reached 112.07 trillion yuan, an increase of 11.9 trillion yuan year-on-year [4][5]. - The average cost of deposits for these banks in the first half of 2025 was 1.61%, a decrease of 34 basis points compared to the same period in 2024 [12]. Group 2: Wealth Management Business Growth - The shift of deposits to wealth management products has led to significant growth in banks' wealth management income, with Agricultural Bank's wealth management income increasing by 62.3% [6]. - The total scale of bank wealth management products reached 30.67 trillion yuan by the end of June, with an estimated increase of about 2 trillion yuan by the end of July [6]. Group 3: Interest Margin and Cost of Liabilities - Despite the reduction in deposit costs, banks are still facing pressure on net interest margins, which have decreased to 1.42% as of the second quarter of 2025 [15][16]. - The average net interest margin for the 13 banks was 1.5%, down from 1.62% year-on-year [15]. - The decline in net interest margins is attributed to factors such as the reduction in the Loan Prime Rate (LPR) and adjustments in existing mortgage rates [17][18]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Analysts predict that the concentration of maturing fixed deposits will lead to a significant reduction in the cost of liabilities for banks in the coming years, with expected decreases of 17 to 24 basis points across different types of banks [11]. - The trend of increasing fixed deposits is expected to continue, with the proportion of fixed deposits among total deposits rising to approximately 59.7% in the first half of 2025 [9][10].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights that government bonds continue to support the growth of social financing, but the strength of this support may gradually weaken due to remaining quota considerations, making the ability of credit to take over crucial for social financing performance [1][4][6] Group 2 - In the first seven months of 2025, the social financing scale increased by 23.99 trillion yuan, which is 5.12 trillion yuan more than the same period last year, reaching a total balance of 431.26 trillion yuan by the end of July, marking a year-on-year growth of 9%, the highest in nearly 17 months [2][4] - Government bonds net financing in the first seven months amounted to 8.9 trillion yuan, which is 4.88 trillion yuan more than the previous year [3][4] - In July, social financing increased by 1.16 trillion yuan, which is 383.9 billion yuan more than the same month last year, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year growth [4][6] Group 3 - The increase in government bond financing in July was significant, with net financing of approximately 1.24 trillion yuan, which is about 560 billion yuan more than the previous year, continuing to be the main driver of social financing [4][6] - In the first seven months of 2025, RMB loans increased by 12.87 trillion yuan, with the loan balance reaching 268.51 trillion yuan by the end of July, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 6.9% [4][5] Group 4 - The "deposit regularization" issue improved in July, with the broad money (M2) balance reaching 329.94 trillion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 8.8%, while the narrow money (M1) balance was 111.06 trillion yuan, growing by 5.6% [6][7] - The narrowing of the M2-M1 "scissors difference" indicates that enterprises are holding more "liquid money," which is a positive sign for financial liquidity [6][7] Group 5 - Experts suggest that the impact of debt replacement on loan data remains significant, with an estimated 2.6 trillion yuan of refinancing special bonds replacing loans, affecting loan growth by about 1 percentage point [4][5] - Future policy measures, including new rounds of stimulus and personal consumption loan interest subsidies, are expected to boost credit performance [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - The retail banking sector is facing challenges with slowing credit growth and increasing reliance on time deposits, prompting banks to adjust their internal assessment metrics to enhance the quality of retail deposits and assets [1][3][5]. Group 1: Retail Banking Challenges - Several banks are experiencing a slowdown in retail credit growth, with some reporting negative growth in personal loans [1]. - The trend of increasing time deposits is leading to a decline in the proportion of revenue generated from retail banking [1][3]. - The shift towards time deposits is putting pressure on the growth of demand deposits, which are typically lower-cost liabilities for banks [5][7]. Group 2: Adjustments in Assessment Metrics - A major bank has recently revised key retail business assessment indicators to focus on increasing demand deposit growth and reducing interest rates on retail deposits [2][4]. - The bank plans to enhance rewards for low-cost deposit acquisition and differentiate assessments based on deposit types and terms [4]. - The emphasis on low-cost demand deposits is reflected in the rising proportion of these metrics in internal assessments [4]. Group 3: Deposit Structure and Trends - As of the end of 2024, major banks like China Merchants Bank (CMB) have a retail deposit scale of approximately 4.03 trillion, with demand deposits accounting for 21.54% of total customer deposits [5]. - Other banks, such as Ping An Bank and Minsheng Bank, show lower proportions of demand deposits, at 9.97% and 9.16% respectively [5][6]. - Overall, the trend of deposit "regularization" is strengthening, with demand deposits under pressure across the industry [10][11]. Group 4: Interest Rate Management - Banks are increasingly focusing on managing deposit interest rates to optimize costs, with CMB reporting a steady improvement in deposit costs [13][14]. - Ping An Bank's average interest rate on deposits decreased by 41 basis points year-on-year, indicating a trend towards lower-cost funding [13]. - The overall industry is witnessing a rise in the proportion of time deposits, with household time deposits reaching a historical high in May [11][12]. Group 5: Focus on High-Quality AUM - Banks are shifting their focus towards acquiring "high-quality AUM" (Assets Under Management) by enhancing rewards for net growth in AUM and incorporating insurance trust contributions [15]. - CMB leads in retail AUM, managing approximately 15.57 trillion, while other banks like Ping An and CITIC Bank are in the 4 trillion to 6 trillion range [16][17]. - The emphasis on AUM quality reflects a broader strategy to improve customer service capabilities and operational efficiency in retail banking [15].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Positive" and is maintained [12] Core Viewpoints - The Jiangsu Bank Index has decreased by 0.5% this week, underperforming the CSI 300 by 1.5% and the ChiNext Index by 3.6%. Despite a decline in trading sentiment for bank stocks, the core investment logic remains solid [2][6] - The trend of deposit regularization has stabilized in the first half of the year, with the proportion of RMB time deposits at 73.1% as of the end of June, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a marginal improvement in deposit regularization pressure for listed banks [2][9][50] - The average dividend yield of the six major state-owned banks' A-shares has fallen to 3.91%, with a spread of 225 basis points over the 10-year government bond yield, while the average yield for H-shares is 4.89%, showing a more pronounced advantage [6][20][24] Summary by Sections Market Performance - The overall market risk appetite has increased significantly this week, leading to a decline in trading sentiment for bank stocks, although the core investment logic remains intact [2][6] - Individual stocks such as Minsheng Bank H and Xiamen Bank have led gains due to improved governance expectations, while Nanjing Bank has seen an increase following the successful delisting of its convertible bonds [6][7] Loan and Deposit Trends - In the first half of the year, the total RMB credit has decreased year-on-year by 350 billion, with weak demand for household credit. The core drag has been short-term and medium-to-long-term operating loans, which have decreased by 705 billion [8][39] - Large banks have increased their new credit year-on-year, capturing 64% of the market share, while smaller banks continue to see a decline in credit demand [8][43][47] Convertible Bonds and Valuation Opportunities - Nanjing Bank's convertible bonds have been successfully delisted, eliminating conversion pressure and suggesting potential for valuation recovery. Other banks like Qilu Bank are also expected to see similar opportunities [7][26] Trading Activity - The turnover rate for joint-stock banks and city commercial banks has increased compared to last week, while the turnover rate for state-owned banks remained stable. The core investment logic for bank stocks remains robust, with low valuation recovery and significant risk bottom lines established [30][35]

Core Viewpoint - The trend of household deposits becoming more time-bound is strengthening, with a significant increase in the proportion of time deposits and a decrease in demand deposits [1][5][4]. Deposit Structure Analysis - As of the end of May, the total household deposit scale reached 160.64 trillion yuan, an increase of 8.39 trillion yuan since the beginning of the year, with time deposits hitting a new high while demand deposits continued to decline [2][3]. - Time deposits (including other deposits) reached 119.34 trillion yuan, growing by 8.9 trillion yuan since the start of the year, while demand deposits decreased by approximately 513.7 billion yuan due to near-zero interest rates [3][7]. - By the end of May, the proportion of time deposits reached 74.29%, marking a historical high, indicating a deepening trend of deposit time-bounding [4][5]. Monthly Trends - The balance of time deposits has shown a month-on-month increase throughout the first five months of the year, with specific figures of 113.9 trillion, 116.42 trillion, 118.45 trillion, 118.78 trillion, and 119.34 trillion yuan [6]. - The proportion of time deposits has also increased month-on-month, except for a slight decrease in March, reaching 74.29% by the end of May [6]. - However, the growth rate of time deposits is slowing, with a net increase of only 325.8 billion yuan in April and 559.5 billion yuan in May, indicating a significant decline compared to earlier months [6]. Demand Deposit Trends - Demand deposits have shown negative growth in February, April, and May, with reductions of approximately 1.89 trillion yuan, 1.69 trillion yuan, and 922 billion yuan respectively, totaling 41.3 trillion yuan by the end of May, a decrease of 513.7 billion yuan since the end of last year [7]. Long-term Trends - Analyzing over a four-year period from the end of 2020 to the end of 2024, the growth rates of household deposits, time deposits, and demand deposits have shown a "high peak and then a decline" trend, with a significant turning point occurring at the end of 2022 [8]. - In 2022, the net increase in household deposits reached 17.9 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of 17.33%, marking a recent high [9]. Banking Sector Implications - The narrowing of net interest margins for commercial banks has become evident, with the net interest margin dropping to 1.43% by the end of the first quarter, indicating pressure on banks to optimize their deposit structures [10][12]. - The increase in the proportion of time deposits is expected to exert continuous pressure on banks' deposit costs, interest margins, and revenues [11]. - To alleviate net interest margin pressure, banks are focusing on optimizing their deposit structures and managing high-cost deposits effectively [12][14].

Summary of Conference Call Records Industry Overview - The records focus on the banking industry in China, particularly the trends in deposit rates and the behavior of depositors in response to macroeconomic conditions [1][2][3]. Key Points and Arguments 1. **Economic Activity and Deposit Behavior** - The decline in economic activity has led to reduced consumer spending and corporate investment willingness. Despite falling deposit rates, the macroeconomic situation has not significantly improved, resulting in a low-risk appetite among residents who prefer fixed-term deposits [1][2]. 2. **Impact of Deposit Rates on Fixed-Term Deposits** - Current fixed-term deposit rates in China are around 1%. Historical data from Japan indicates that fixed-term deposits only significantly decline when rates fall below 0.5%. Therefore, the trend towards fixed-term deposits is expected to continue despite lower rates [1][3]. 3. **Future Trends in Fixed-Term Deposits** - A large volume of three-year fixed-term deposits is set to mature in 2025, with an estimated total of 89 trillion yuan. It is anticipated that most of these funds will be reinvested into new fixed-term products due to limited improvement in fundamentals and the attractiveness of other investment channels [5][12]. 4. **Factors Influencing Deposit Base Growth** - The growth of the deposit base is influenced by several factors: the effectiveness of monetary easing, declining risk appetite among residents, poor performance of other asset classes, and profits remitted by the central bank to enterprises and residents [7][8]. 5. **Long-Term Deposit Preferences** - Residents, particularly those with lower risk tolerance, such as older individuals, are more inclined to choose longer-term fixed deposits. This preference is reflected in the current inversion of interest rates between three to five-year terms and one-year terms [5][6]. 6. **Asymmetric Rate Adjustments** - There is an asymmetric adjustment in interest rates across different terms, with larger adjustments seen in three and five-year terms. This is a response to the current market environment and changing risk preferences [6]. 7. **Historical Context of Deposit Trends** - The increase in fixed-term deposit ratios since 2018 is attributed to declining economic activity, with both residents and enterprises opting for fixed deposits as a safer investment. This trend has persisted despite fluctuations in the broader economic environment [9][10]. 8. **Lessons from Japan's Low-Rate Environment** - Japan's experience shows that even in a prolonged low-rate environment, the overall savings scale does not significantly decrease. This suggests that in a weak economy with limited investment options, individuals will continue to save rather than invest elsewhere [11]. 9. **Banking Sector Implications** - The maturity of fixed-term deposits will have some impact on banks' asset allocation strategies, but the overall effect is expected to be limited. A portion of maturing deposits may be converted to demand deposits, but this does not necessarily translate into a shift towards other business areas [12]. Other Important Insights - The records highlight the importance of understanding depositor behavior in the context of macroeconomic conditions and interest rate trends. The insights drawn from Japan's experience may provide valuable guidance for navigating similar challenges in the Chinese market [11].

Summary of China Merchants Bank Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: China Merchants Bank (招商银行) - **Date**: May 22, 2025 Key Points Financial Performance - **Net Interest Income**: Increased by nearly 2% year-on-year in Q1 2025, attributed to a narrowing of interest rate cuts, despite a decline in net interest margin by 11 basis points year-on-year [2][7][8] - **Loan Pricing**: Overall slight decrease in loan pricing; corporate loans saw a significant decline while retail loans remained stable or slightly decreased due to regulatory guidance [2][3][6] - **Deposit Growth**: Weak loan demand has led to sluggish deposit growth, with M1 and M2 widening [2][10] - **Wealth Management Fees**: Grew by 10.5% year-on-year in Q1 2025, marking the first significant positive growth since 2022, driven by nearly 30% growth in fund sales, wealth management, and trust services [2][13] - **Card Fees**: Card transaction fees and settlement fees declined by 7-8% year-on-year due to weak consumption [2][14] Loan Demand and Credit Quality - **Credit Demand**: Remains weak in Q2 2025; retail loans showed marginal recovery in early May but overall demand is still not significantly improved [3][4] - **Asset Quality**: Retail loan non-performing loans (NPLs) are rising, but the bank maintains a solid provision coverage ratio [3][17][18] - **Corporate Loan Risks**: Concentrated in real estate and related sectors, with overall asset quality in other sectors remaining low [3][19][20] Market Conditions and Economic Outlook - **Trade War Impact**: Limited short-term impact from the US-China trade war observed; however, long-term effects depend on future tariff policies [4][5] - **Interest Rate Trends**: New loan pricing has slightly decreased; retail loan pricing remains stable or slightly down due to regulatory constraints [6][8] - **Deposit Rate Adjustments**: Recent adjustments in deposit rates have raised concerns about potential deposit outflows, but the bank views the changes as beneficial due to its high proportion of demand deposits [9][11] Future Strategies - **Loan Strategy**: The bank will not rigidly increase any specific type of loan but will adjust based on market demand [4][21] - **Wealth Management Focus**: Continued emphasis on wealth management services to enhance fee income, with expectations for further growth in Q2 2025 [13][14] - **Dividends**: Plans for mid-term dividends in 2025 have been announced, with distributions expected in early and mid-2026 [23] Risks and Challenges - **Economic Uncertainty**: The bank faces significant operational pressure due to geopolitical factors and weak loan demand, with Q1 2025 expected to be the most challenging period of the year [15][16][22] - **Retail Loan Quality**: While retail loan quality is under scrutiny, the bank has sufficient provisions to manage potential risks [18][22] Conclusion - China Merchants Bank is navigating a challenging economic landscape with a focus on maintaining asset quality, adjusting loan strategies based on market conditions, and enhancing wealth management services to drive fee income growth. The outlook remains cautious due to external economic pressures and internal loan demand weaknesses.

Core Viewpoint - The trend of deposit regularization continues among A-share listed banks, with 90% of banks reporting an increase in total deposits year-on-year, particularly in personal fixed deposits, while interest income is declining and liability costs are rising [1][2][11]. Deposit Trends - Among the 25 listed banks, total deposits reached 185.58 trillion yuan, a 5% increase year-on-year, with only Minsheng Bank and Everbright Bank showing a decline [2][3]. - Personal fixed deposits increased significantly, with Zhengzhou Bank reporting a nearly 40% year-on-year growth [4][5]. - The trend of deposit regularization is evident, with a notable increase in the proportion of fixed deposits compared to demand deposits [6][12]. Interest Expense and Rate Adjustments - Many banks are experiencing rising interest expenses on deposits, with notable increases reported by Changshu Bank and Ningbo Bank [7][8]. - In response to the pressure on liability management, several banks, especially small and medium-sized ones, have lowered deposit and large certificate of deposit rates, with some reductions reaching 40 basis points [9][10]. Net Interest Margin and Management Strategies - The net interest margin for commercial banks has decreased to 1.52%, with 16 out of 25 listed banks reporting a decline in interest income [11][12]. - Banks are focusing on controlling high-cost deposit scales and optimizing asset-liability structures to stabilize net interest margins [12].