Core Insights - The domestic credit card market is undergoing significant changes, including reduced benefits, discontinuation of certain products, and closure of credit card centers, indicating a transformation in the industry [1][3][4] Group 1: Adjustments in Credit Card Benefits - Several banks, including China Merchants Bank and Everbright Bank, have announced adjustments to high-end credit card benefits, focusing on increasing usage thresholds, modifying point accumulation rules, and reducing high-cost benefits [2][4] - Specific changes include higher thresholds for redeeming points for miles, shortened validity of points, and a shift from premium benefits like airport lounges to more practical benefits such as shopping discounts [2][3] Group 2: Discontinuation of Credit Card Products - Many banks, including Agricultural Bank of China and Postal Savings Bank, have stopped issuing certain credit card products, particularly co-branded cards in sectors like aviation and e-commerce, citing business strategy adjustments and the need to enhance service quality [3][4] Group 3: Shift from Expansion to Optimization - The credit card industry is moving from a phase of rapid expansion to one focused on optimizing existing customer relationships, with banks needing to streamline inefficient products and concentrate on core customer segments [4][5] - This transition is driven by intensified competition in the credit consumption market, pressure on credit assets, and the need to adapt to consumer preferences for high-frequency, essential spending scenarios [4][6] Group 4: Future Development Directions - The focus for future growth will be on maximizing the value of existing customers, creating tiered benefit systems for different customer segments, and enhancing coverage of high-frequency spending scenarios [5][6] - The integration of credit cards with wealth management and private banking services aims to elevate credit cards from mere customer acquisition tools to central components of value creation [6]

Core Viewpoint - The credit card industry is undergoing significant changes as banks, including China Merchants Bank (CMB), adjust their high-end credit card offerings in response to regulatory pressures and market competition, aiming for sustainable business models rather than short-term promotions [2][3][5]. Group 1: Changes in Credit Card Offerings - CMB announced that starting September 1, 2025, it will replace its dual-branded high-end magnetic stripe credit cards with chip versions, introducing new spending thresholds for benefits [2]. - The classic platinum credit card now requires an annual spending of 180,000 yuan to redeem 3,600 yuan in annual fees, while supplementary cards have a new threshold of 100,000 yuan [2]. - Other banks, such as Everbright Bank and SPDB, have also announced adjustments to their high-end credit card benefits, including changes to lounge access and reward redemption [3]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Responses - The credit card sector is experiencing a broader trend of increasing usage thresholds, adjusting point systems, and reducing high-end benefits across multiple banks [3][5]. - CMB's credit card circulation decreased by 259,100 cards to 9,685,900 by the end of 2024, with a decline in transaction volume by 8.23% year-on-year [5]. - The adjustments in high-end benefits are seen as a response to the "involution" phenomenon in various industries, aiming to shift focus from aggressive expansion to high-quality development [5][6]. Group 3: Cost Management and Value Creation - High-end credit card benefits are significant resource consumers for banks, with operational costs exceeding 1,000 yuan per card for certain privileges [7]. - The industry is facing pressure from third-party entities exploiting high-end benefits, leading to increased costs for credit card centers [7]. - The shift towards rationalizing benefits is intended to encourage banks to focus on sustainable practices and value creation in the credit card sector [8].