Core Viewpoint - The recent half-year reports from A-share listed banks indicate a rebound in deposit growth, with total deposits reaching 213.17 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.40 trillion yuan year-on-year, representing an 8.33% growth. However, some small and medium-sized banks are experiencing a slowdown in deposit growth, with over one-third of these banks reporting a quarter-on-quarter decline in deposits [1] Group 1: Deposit Growth Trends - A-share listed banks have seen a total deposit balance of 213.17 trillion yuan, up by 16.40 trillion yuan year-on-year, marking an 8.33% increase [1] - 16 out of 42 A-share listed banks reported a quarter-on-quarter decline in deposit scale, indicating challenges faced by smaller banks [1] Group 2: Economic and Competitive Factors - The decline in deposits for small and medium-sized banks is attributed to changes in the economic and financial environment, including multiple rounds of interest rate cuts leading to a low-interest-rate era for bank deposits [1] - As of September, most banks offer three-year fixed deposit rates between 1.25% and 1.50%, and five-year rates between 1.30% and 1.55%, reducing the attractiveness of bank deposits for residents [1] - The recovery of the stock market has led residents to withdraw deposits from banks to invest in higher-yield financial products, including wealth management, stocks, and bonds [1] Group 3: Strategies for Small and Medium-sized Banks - Small and medium-sized banks need to balance deposit stability and cost control by optimizing their liability structure and reducing funding costs to enhance profitability [2] - Strategies include implementing differentiated interest rates for long-term fixed deposits and adjusting the ratio of fixed to current deposits to manage liquidity effectively [2] - Developing structured deposit products can help retain funds while offering higher returns, minimizing the outflow of deposits to other investment avenues [2] Group 4: Enhancing Service and Customer Retention - Improving service capabilities is essential for small and medium-sized banks to curb deposit outflows, which includes expanding customer outreach and enhancing service quality [3] - Banks should focus on digital financial services and wealth management to attract and retain deposits, reducing reliance on traditional lending [3] - Tailored services for different customer segments, such as corporate and individual clients, can enhance deposit stability and attract long-term funds [3] Group 5: Cost Control and Market Environment Optimization - Strengthening cost control and optimizing the deposit market environment are crucial for small and medium-sized banks [4] - Banks should manage liability quality, avoid over-reliance on high-cost funding, and reduce interest expenses through various measures [4] - Enhancing operational efficiency through digitalization and optimizing branch layouts can lower costs and improve fund utilization [4]