Core Viewpoint - Recent significant reductions in deposit rates by several small and medium-sized banks have led to unusual phenomena such as one-year deposit rates exceeding five-year rates, indicating a shift in banks' deposit management strategies [2][3][7]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Adjustments - Multiple small and medium-sized banks have initiated a new round of deposit rate cuts, with noticeable instances of one-year rates surpassing five-year rates, such as Xinjiang Korla Fumin Village Bank's one-year rate at 2.0% compared to 1.95% for five years [2][3]. - The phenomenon of "rate inversion" has become more common, with banks like Shandong Yinan Blue Ocean Village Bank showing three-year rates at 2.0% while five-year rates are at 1.8%, a 20 basis point difference [3][5]. - Guangdong Qingxin Rural Commercial Bank has also adjusted its rates, with one-year rates at 1.1% and three-year rates at 1.53%, indicating a trend where longer-term deposits yield lower returns [4]. Group 2: Market Reactions and Trends - The banking sector is experiencing a trend where deposit growth outpaces loan growth, with banks like Xiamen Bank reporting a 3.17% increase in deposits while loans decreased by 2.02% [6]. - There is a noticeable shift towards "regularization" of deposits, with personal term deposits increasing significantly across various banks, indicating pressure on banks' liability management [6]. - Analysts suggest that the ongoing trend of declining interest rates will lead to more frequent occurrences of deposit rate inversions, as banks adjust their strategies to manage costs more effectively [7][9]. Group 3: Future Expectations - The People's Bank of China has indicated a potential for further reductions in deposit rates, which may lead to a collective nationwide decrease in interest rates, impacting banks' ability to attract deposits [7][8]. - The expectation of continued downward pressure on rates suggests that banks will need to refine their deposit management strategies to remain competitive in attracting customers [9].

Core Viewpoint - The adjustment of deposit rates by local small and medium-sized banks continues, with many institutions lowering rates, while a few are increasing them, leading to a phenomenon of inverted rates between short-term and long-term deposits [1][4][5]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Adjustments - Since May, many local small and medium-sized banks have been adjusting their deposit rates, with some long-term deposit rates falling below 2% [1][2]. - For example, the deposit rates at Liaocheng Hunan Rural Commercial Bank were reduced across all terms, with the one-year rate dropping from 1.95% to 1.8%, a decrease of 15 basis points [2]. - In contrast, Xinjiang Korla Fumin Village Bank announced an increase in rates for certain short-term deposits, with the one-year rate rising to 2.0% and the two-year rate to 2.05%, both higher than the three-year and five-year rates [1][4]. Group 2: Market Trends and Predictions - Analysts expect that deposit rates will continue to decline in the second half of the year, with a potential reduction of 20 to 30 basis points anticipated [8]. - The central bank's recent policy changes, including a 0.1 percentage point reduction in policy rates, are expected to lead to further decreases in deposit rates [6][7]. - The overall trend indicates that banks are under pressure to lower their funding costs to maintain net interest margins, which have been narrowing [5].