Investment Rating - The investment rating for Qilu Bank is "Buy" and is maintained [8] Core Views - Qilu Bank's stock price has undergone sufficient valuation adjustment since Q3 2025, influenced by market trading factors. The bank is entering a new three-year planning cycle in 2026, with management focusing on stable and sustainable growth. In the current macroeconomic environment, high-quality city commercial banks with stable growth capabilities are considered scarce assets. The bank is expected to achieve a trillion-scale asset size in the new three-year plan [5][11] - Loan growth is projected to be between 13% and 15% from 2025 to 2027, with a continuous increase in loan market share. Net interest income is expected to drive revenue growth. The long-term growth path is clear, and there is room for valuation recovery in PB-ROE [11][20] - The bank's dividend yield is expected to be 4.65% in 2025 and 5.20% in 2026, meeting the needs of long-term investors [11] Summary by Sections Company Overview - Qilu Bank has a long-standing management philosophy focused on stable and sustainable growth. The bank's asset scale has achieved an annual compound growth rate of 16.2% over the past three years, with profit growth at 16.9%, ranking among the top in the banking sector. The bank aims to reach a trillion in assets by 2027, requiring an annual growth rate of at least 12.2% over the next two years [11][20] Loan and Revenue Growth - The bank's loan growth is expected to be between 13% and 15% from 2025 to 2027. As of mid-2025, Qilu Bank's loan market share in Shandong province is 2.3%, indicating significant room for improvement compared to other leading city commercial banks. The bank's credit structure is primarily focused on state-owned enterprises, with retail loan demand remaining weak [11][20] Asset Quality - Qilu Bank's asset quality is at its best since its listing, with a continuous decline in non-performing loan (NPL) ratios and a net NPL generation rate dropping to a historical low of 0.31% (annualized) in the first half of 2025. The bank's credit cost is expected to decrease further, allowing for double-digit profit growth in 2026 [11][20] Valuation and Dividend - The bank's PB valuation is projected to be 0.71x in 2025 and 0.65x in 2026, indicating undervaluation relative to a 12% ROE. The bank may slightly increase its dividend payout ratio in 2025 to offset the dilution effect of convertible bonds, with expected dividend yields of 4.65% and 5.20% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [11][20]