Core Viewpoint - The performance of seven A-share listed banks in the first half of 2025 shows steady growth in total assets, operating income, and net profit attributable to shareholders, with a decrease in non-performing loan ratios, indicating ongoing risk improvement [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Seven banks reported positive growth in total assets compared to the beginning of the year, with Ningbo Bank leading at an 11.04% increase, the only bank exceeding 10% [2]. - All seven banks achieved year-on-year growth in operating income and net profit attributable to shareholders, with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank's total revenue surpassing 90 billion yuan, a 2.62% increase [2]. - Jiangyin Bank reported the highest revenue growth at 10.45%, while Changshu Bank followed closely with a 10.1% increase in revenue [3]. Group 2: Asset Quality - The non-performing loan ratios of Ningbo Bank, Hangzhou Bank, and Jiangyin Bank remained stable compared to the beginning of the year, while the other four banks showed varying degrees of improvement, with Qilu Bank experiencing the largest decline of 10 basis points [2]. Group 3: Dividend Expectations - Several banks have announced expectations for mid-year dividends, with the high dividend yield of bank stocks enhancing their investment value [1][4]. - The total cash dividends of A-share listed banks reached 646.025 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 5.33%, which has bolstered investor confidence [4]. Group 4: Market Trends - The banking sector has seen a significant upward trend, with the China Securities Banking Index rising by 52.7% since the beginning of 2024 [4]. - The average net interest margin for commercial banks was 1.42% in the first half of the year, down 10 basis points from the end of the previous year, indicating pressure on interest margins [5].

Core Viewpoint - A new round of interest rate cuts for large-denomination certificates of deposit (CDs) has begun, with some products' rates falling below 1% for the first time in recent years, indicating a significant shift in the banking sector's approach to deposit rates [1][9]. Summary by Category Interest Rate Changes - Major banks, including state-owned banks, have reduced the annualized interest rates for 1-month and 3-month large-denomination CDs to 0.9%, marking a historic low [1][3]. - The latest issuance by Bank of China shows a reduction of 25 basis points for 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year products, while the 3-year product saw a reduction of 35 basis points [3][10]. - Other banks, such as Industrial and Agricultural Banks, have also lowered their rates to 0.9% for similar products [3][6]. Implications for the Banking Sector - The reduction in deposit rates is seen as a strategy to alleviate pressure on net interest margins, which have been declining [10][11]. - Analysts suggest that lowering deposit rates will help banks stabilize their net interest margins and reduce financing costs for the real economy [10][11]. Investor Guidance - Investors are advised to adjust their expectations regarding investment returns and consider a diversified asset allocation strategy in light of the declining interest rates [1][8][11]. - The trend of decreasing deposit rates is expected to continue, prompting investors to seek alternative investment options such as cash management products, money market funds, and government bonds [11].