Core Insights - The People's Bank of China and other regulatory bodies have issued a notification to regulate the 40 trillion yuan supply chain finance market, pushing the industry from "core enterprise credit reliance" to "data-driven credit" to address financing difficulties faced by SMEs [1][2][7] - The new regulations emphasize a commitment from core enterprises to maintain payment terms within 60 days, reflecting heightened regulatory scrutiny on the risks in the supply chain finance sector [2][5] - The automotive and construction industries are particularly affected by these changes due to their complex supply chains and long payment cycles, which have historically placed financial strain on SMEs [2][3] Market Growth and Regulatory Changes - The supply chain finance market in China has seen explosive growth, surpassing 40 trillion yuan in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5% from 2020 to 2024 [2] - The new regulations aim to standardize practices and reduce risks associated with payment delays and credit reliance on core enterprises, which have been known to exploit their market position [2][6] Role of Core Enterprises - Core enterprises play a dual role in the supply chain finance ecosystem, acting as both fund providers and credit bearers, which significantly influences the financial dynamics of the supply chain [4] - While some core enterprises demonstrate social responsibility by adopting buyer interest payment models, many still extend payment terms to alleviate their own cash flow issues, negatively impacting SMEs [4][5] Challenges and Risks - The practice of extending payment terms by dominant core enterprises can lead to significant liquidity issues for SMEs, with some suppliers reporting effective payment cycles extending to 10 months [5] - The existing supply chain finance model poses credit risks, as reliance on core enterprise credit can lead to a domino effect of financial instability throughout the supply chain if a core enterprise faces difficulties [6][7] Transition to Data-Driven Models - The notification encourages banks to explore "de-core" models, which focus on data-driven credit assessments rather than solely relying on core enterprise credit [7][8] - This transition aims to enhance transparency and traceability in the supply chain, allowing financial institutions to evaluate SME credit based on actual transactions [7][8] Industry Participation and Future Outlook - Smaller banks and regional banks are more actively participating in the "de-core" trend, while larger banks are expected to accelerate their product offerings in response to regulatory changes [8] - Recent collaborations, such as that between WeBank and Zhongqi Yunlian, indicate a growing trend towards integrating supply chain data for improved financing efficiency [8]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the transformative role of Zhongqi Yunlian in supply chain finance, highlighting its significant achievements and the broader implications for the digital economy in China [1][3][4]. Company Overview - Zhongqi Yunlian is the largest independent digital financial platform in China, with over 20 trillion yuan in secured receivables, nearly 1 billion yuan in revenue, and a net profit margin of 15.9% [1]. - The company has established a digital network covering 98% of China's regional administrative areas, addressing the financing challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) [1][4]. Business Model and Services - The company operates on an independent platform model, facilitating financial transactions among various stakeholders in the supply chain, leveraging the credit of core enterprises to enhance cash flow for suppliers [3][4]. - Zhongqi Yunlian's services are primarily delivered through its "Yunxin" platform, which connects over 6,600 core enterprises and 546,413 chain enterprises, as well as 3,574 financial institutions [6][8]. Financial Performance - The company's revenue has shown steady growth, with figures of 652 million yuan in 2022, 879 million yuan in 2023, and projected 991 million yuan in 2024, alongside corresponding gross profits [7]. - In 2024, Zhongqi Yunlian achieved a net profit of approximately 157 million yuan, with a net profit margin of nearly 16% [7]. Market Position and Growth - Zhongqi Yunlian has become the first independent digital receivables platform in China to exceed 1 trillion yuan in secured receivables by May 2023, reaching 2 trillion yuan by January 2024 [4][5]. - The company holds a market share of 14.2% in secured receivables and 15.0% in financing volume for 2024, making it the largest independent digital receivables platform in China [5][6]. Industry Trends - The supply chain finance industry in China is experiencing robust growth, with a market size of approximately 41.3 trillion yuan in 2023, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 11.9% and a compound annual growth rate of 20.88% over the past five years [4][10]. - The industry is expected to exceed 60 trillion yuan by 2027, with a projected annual growth rate of 10.3% [10]. Technological Impact - Advances in technology, including big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, are driving the evolution of supply chain finance, enabling better connectivity between enterprises and financial institutions [9]. - Zhongqi Yunlian is leveraging these technologies to enhance its service offerings and improve the efficiency of financial transactions within the supply chain [9].