Core Viewpoint - The newly implemented "Regulations on the Appropriateness Management of Financial Institution Products" (referred to as "Regulation No. 7") aims to enhance the transparency and integrity of financial product sales, particularly those with uncertain returns and potential principal loss, by prohibiting misleading practices in product promotion and sales [1][4][5]. Group 1: Overview of Regulation No. 7 - Regulation No. 7 was officially released after a three-and-a-half-month consultation period, introducing stricter guidelines for financial institutions regarding the promotion and sale of investment products [1][2]. - The regulation specifically targets investment-type products, including asset management products and other financial products, which are primarily regulated by the former China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission [2][3]. Group 2: Prohibited Practices - Financial institutions are now prohibited from misleading or inducing customers to purchase products through performance manipulation or improper presentation [4][6]. - The regulation addresses practices such as obscuring product nature, confusing product categories, exaggerating product advantages, and selectively displaying performance data [6]. Group 3: Performance Disclosure and Management - The regulation emphasizes the need for clear performance disclosure, aligning with previous guidelines issued by the National Financial Regulatory Administration regarding asset management product information disclosure [7][8]. - The phenomenon of "new product ranking," where newly launched financial products exhibit inflated returns to attract investors, is highlighted as a concern that the regulation aims to mitigate [9]. Group 4: Investor Classification and Risk Assessment - Regulation No. 7 mandates the classification of investment products by risk level and requires an assessment of investors' risk tolerance, distinguishing between professional and ordinary investors [10][14]. - The regulation specifies that only products rated below an investor's risk level can be purchased, ensuring that investments align with the investor's risk capacity [14][15]. Group 5: Special Considerations for High-Age Clients - Financial institutions are required to exercise special care when dealing with clients aged 65 and above, implementing stricter operational procedures for high-risk product sales [18][19]. Group 6: Risk Assessment Frequency and Validity - The regulation standardizes the validity period for risk tolerance assessments to twelve months, limiting the frequency of assessments to prevent excessive evaluations aimed at selling high-risk products [20].