Core Viewpoint - Since September, local small and medium-sized banks have been continuously lowering deposit interest rates to alleviate net interest margin pressure and follow the lead of larger banks [1][3]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Adjustments - On September 25, several banks in Henan, including Luoyang Rural Commercial Bank, announced reductions in RMB deposit rates, with the highest cut reaching 35 basis points [2][3]. - The new rates for fixed-term deposits at Luoyang Rural Commercial Bank are now 0.75% for three months, 1.00% for six months, 1.30% for one year, and 1.35% for two years, reflecting a reduction of 15 basis points [3]. - Other banks, such as Jieyang Rural Commercial Bank and Shanghai Huarui Bank, have also lowered rates across various deposit products, indicating a broader trend among local banks to adjust rates following national banks [3]. Group 2: Retail Deposit Trends - There is a noticeable outflow of retail deposits as customers shift to investment products with higher returns, such as cash management and fixed-income bank wealth management products, which offer annual yields of 2% to 3% [2][5]. - Retail deposit growth has significantly slowed, with banks facing challenges in attracting new customers and retaining existing deposits [5][6]. - Data shows that major banks like China Merchants Bank and Ping An Bank experienced a decline in retail deposit growth rates in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with decreases of 3.43 and 3.73 percentage points, respectively [8]. Group 3: Wealth Management Strategies - In response to declining retail deposits, banks are focusing on expanding their wealth management services, leveraging the recent bullish trends in capital markets [9][10]. - Wealth management products, particularly those linked to equity funds, are becoming key revenue drivers for banks as they seek to retain customer assets [9]. - The "fixed income plus" product category is seen as a new pathway for banks to attract deposits in a low-interest-rate environment, highlighting the need for diversified investment options [10].