Core Viewpoint - The report from Guosen Securities indicates that the decline in net interest margin (NIM) for China's banking industry is expected to significantly converge by 2026, suggesting that the current downtrend in NIM may be nearing its end, contrasting sharply with the previous two years of uncertainty in the industry [1] Group 1: Banking Sector Outlook - Guosen Securities predicts that the fundamental bottoming of the banking sector will drive a valuation premium recovery for quality individual stocks [1] - The report emphasizes that resident confidence is the core variable influencing the flow of funds, rather than the performance of financial products, as evidenced by trends in Japanese asset allocation [2] Group 2: Historical Context and Confidence Impact - The report draws parallels with Japan's experience, noting that from 1995 to 2003, despite a significant decline in deposit rates, there was no major shift in deposits due to a lack of resident confidence amid economic downturns [2][3] - It highlights that the shift in asset allocation towards higher-risk assets in Japan only occurred after a substantial recovery in resident confidence from 2003 to 2004, reinforcing the idea that confidence drives asset allocation [3] Group 3: Current Trends in Japan - Japanese residents have not moved their deposits out, but the trend of activating deposits has intensified as the proportion of transferable deposits has increased from 11.4% in 1994 to 65% by the end of the 2024 fiscal year [4] - The report suggests a strategic investment approach of "stable base + offensive combination," recommending banks such as China Merchants Bank, CITIC Bank, Ningbo Bank, Changsha Bank, and Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank for the offensive combination [4]