Core Viewpoint - The financial industry is increasingly focusing on resisting "involution" competition, with institutions like Ping An Bank taking steps to promote self-discipline and strategic adjustments to combat this issue [3][5][10]. Group 1: Company Actions - Ping An Bank held a mid-year meeting to outline its business development plan and promote anti-"involution" competition efforts, with over 2,000 employees required to sign a commitment letter [3]. - In the first quarter, Ping An Bank reported a revenue of 33.709 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 13.1%, and a net profit of 14.096 billion, down 5.6% [3]. - The bank's total assets reached 5.78 trillion at the end of the first quarter, reflecting a slight increase of 0.1% from the end of the previous year [3]. Group 2: Industry Trends - The Guangdong Banking Association has established a "1+3+N" system to combat "involution" competition, which includes a negative list from regulatory bodies and self-discipline agreements [5]. - The call for resisting "involution" is echoed nationwide, with provinces like Fujian and Anhui issuing self-discipline agreements to prevent malicious competition [6]. - The financial sector is facing pressure from low interest rates and low spreads, with banks like China Merchants Bank reporting a revenue decline of 3.09% and a net profit drop of 2.08% in the first quarter [9]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - Regulatory bodies are actively opposing "involution" competition, with measures including the issuance of negative lists and guidance for industry associations to create self-discipline agreements [5][6]. - The implementation of the "reporting and operation unity" policy in the insurance sector aims to standardize market practices and curb malicious competition, resulting in a 30% reduction in average commission levels [8]. Group 4: Challenges and Perspectives - The banking industry is experiencing a critical point with net interest margins dropping to around 1.43%, leading to concerns about profitability and sustainability [9]. - Some industry professionals argue that the focus on commission rates and fees is merely a superficial response to deeper issues of homogeneity in the market, suggesting that true reform requires addressing these underlying problems [10].