Core Viewpoint - The implementation of new regulations in the consumer finance and lending industry is leading to a significant reduction in interest rates, with licensed consumer finance institutions required to lower their average financing costs to 20% or below starting from Q1 of next year [1][7]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The new "lending regulations" require licensed consumer finance institutions to reduce the average comprehensive financing cost of newly issued loans to 20% or below [1]. - There is a shift in the regulatory approach, providing a buffer period compared to previous requirements, which has put pressure on consumer finance and lending industries [1][9]. - The small loan industry is also facing potential interest rate cap reductions, indicating a broader regulatory tightening [1]. Group 2: Industry Impact - Many institutions are postponing financing plans or halting new loan issuances in response to the regulatory changes [1][9]. - The consensus in the industry is that "cost reduction" will be a key focus moving forward, as the previous model of expanding market size through lending to lower-tier customers may no longer be sustainable [1][7]. - The average loan interest rates across various consumer finance institutions have generally fallen below the 24% threshold, but some institutions still have over 50% of their products with rates above 20% [5][12]. Group 3: Cost Structure and Challenges - The cost structure for consumer finance institutions includes funding costs, customer acquisition costs, risk costs, and operational costs, with funding costs having decreased significantly in recent years [7][8]. - The current low-interest environment has created favorable conditions for financing, with many institutions reporting weighted financing costs between 2.5% and 3.0% [9]. - However, the rising customer acquisition and risk costs pose challenges, necessitating a transformation in business models to maintain profitability [10][12]. Group 4: Business Model Transformation - Consumer finance companies are exploring various customer acquisition channels, including online and offline methods, with different cost implications for each model [10][11]. - The need to enhance self-acquisition capabilities is critical for reducing customer acquisition and risk costs in the current market environment [12]. - The recent regulatory changes have led to concerns about the sustainability of high-interest lending practices, prompting institutions to rethink their strategies [13].