Core Viewpoint - The banking sector is experiencing a divergence in deposit strategies as the Chinese New Year approaches, with state-owned banks maintaining stable interest rates while some joint-stock and city commercial banks are actively raising rates and lowering deposit thresholds to attract customers [1][3][5]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Adjustments - State-owned banks like China Construction Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China are offering fixed deposit rates of 1.1% for one year, 1.2% for two years, and 1.55% for three years, showing no changes in their deposit strategies [3][4]. - In contrast, joint-stock banks such as Industrial Bank are offering higher rates, with one-year fixed deposits at 1.3%, two-year at 1.4%, and three-year at 1.75%, which are above the rates offered by state-owned banks [3][4]. - City commercial banks are also increasing their deposit rates, with Huishang Bank offering a three-year fixed deposit rate of up to 1.95%, and recently lowering the minimum deposit requirement from 500,000 to 200,000 yuan [4][5]. Group 2: Marketing Activities and Promotions - Industrial Bank has launched a promotional campaign called "Xing Speed" that offers customers rewards such as WeChat discounts and paper gold for increasing their financial assets [4]. - Ningbo Bank is targeting new customers with a "New Year Red" deposit activity, offering a 1.95% interest rate for three-year fixed deposits with a minimum deposit of 200,000 yuan [4]. Group 3: Strategies of Smaller Banks - Local rural commercial banks are increasing deposit rates and introducing unique deposit products to capture market share, with Guangxi Zhaoping Rural Commercial Bank offering rates of 1.4% for one year and 1.9% for three years [7]. - Hunan Xinhui Rural Commercial Bank has raised its deposit rates to 1.3% for one year and 1.75% for three years, with a minimum deposit of 30,000 yuan [7]. Group 4: Customer Guidance and Recommendations - Analysts suggest that customers should prioritize safety by choosing banks that participate in deposit insurance, and then select products based on their financial needs and time horizons [9][10]. - For short-term funds, large banks' products are recommended for liquidity, while long-term funds should consider high-rate products from smaller banks to lock in current rates [10][11].