Core Viewpoint - The recent suspension of gold-related services by major banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and China Construction Bank (CCB), is a response to new tax policies affecting the gold market, leading to significant fluctuations in gold prices and impacting retail businesses [1][3][4]. Group 1: Bank Operations - ICBC and CCB announced the suspension of certain gold investment services on November 3, 2025, due to market volatility and risk management requirements [3][8]. - ICBC quickly resumed its "Ruyi Gold" accumulation services within a day after the initial suspension, indicating a rapid response to customer demand [4][10]. - CCB's announcement regarding the suspension of its "Easy Storage Gold" services was not found on its official website at the time of reporting, suggesting a lack of communication or updates [3][10]. Group 2: Market Reactions - Following the announcement of the new tax policies, shares of several gold and jewelry retailers, including Chao Hong Ji and Chow Tai Fook, experienced significant declines, with losses of nearly 10% for some companies [3][4]. - The price of gold in the Shenzhen Shui Bei market surged dramatically, with prices rising from approximately 930 yuan per gram to over 996 yuan per gram within hours on November 3, 2025 [18][19]. Group 3: Tax Policy Impact - The new tax policy, effective from November 1, 2025, exempts value-added tax (VAT) on standard gold transactions through designated exchanges until December 31, 2027, but imposes VAT on physical gold transactions outside these exchanges [4][12]. - The policy is expected to increase procurement costs for retailers by approximately 7%, leading to price adjustments for gold products [14][19]. - Retailers like Chow Tai Fook have already begun adjusting their prices in response to the new tax regulations, with significant price increases reported [15][19].