Core Viewpoint - Recent rounds of interest rate cuts have led to many village and town banks lowering their deposit rates, with some rates now equal to or lower than those of major state-owned banks [2][6]. Group 1: Interest Rate Cuts - A new round of LPR and deposit rate cuts was implemented on May 20, with major state-owned banks and some joint-stock banks lowering their rates simultaneously [3]. - In May, 15 out of 19 private banks reduced their interest rates, with a total of 22 cuts, marking a significant shift from previous gradual adjustments to more aggressive cuts [3]. - By July and August, while private banks stabilized their rates, village banks continued to lower their deposit rates further [3]. Group 2: Specific Rate Adjustments - Jilin Longtan Huayi Village Bank announced a reduction in deposit rates effective August 20, with rates for various terms lowered by 0.1 percentage points [4]. - BaiShan HunJiang Hengtai Village Bank also adjusted its rates, with reductions across multiple terms, including a 0.2 percentage point cut for three-year and five-year deposits [5]. - Shengzhou Ruifeng Village Bank reduced its rates significantly, with three-month to five-year rates dropping to as low as 1.3% [5]. Group 3: Comparison with State-Owned Banks - After multiple rounds of cuts, some deposit rates at smaller banks are now equal to or lower than those of major state-owned banks, which have rates of 0.65% to 1.3% across various terms [6]. - For instance, Shengzhou Ruifeng Village Bank's five-year deposit rate matches that of state-owned banks, while others like Guangzhou Huadu Chouzhou Village Bank offer rates below those of state-owned banks [6]. Group 4: Market Trends - Data from Rong360 indicates that bank deposit rates are in a downward trend, with average rates for various terms showing declines compared to June [7]. - The average three-month deposit rate is now at 0.943%, with significant decreases across all terms, indicating a broader market trend towards lower interest rates [7].

Group 1 - The six major banks collectively announced a reduction in deposit rates, with cuts ranging from 5 basis points (BP) to 25 BP, while the People's Bank of China (PBOC) lowered the Loan Prime Rate (LPR) by 10 BP for both one-year and five-year terms [1][2] - The reduction in deposit rates is the largest in recent years, with the one-year deposit rate falling below 1% for the first time, potentially leading to a shift of deposits towards non-bank financial institutions [1][6] - According to CICC's static calculations, the impact of the LPR and deposit rate cuts on banks' net interest margin (NIM), revenue, and profit is an increase of 7 BP, 3 BP, and 6 BP respectively, indicating a generally positive effect on banks [2][3] Group 2 - The adjusted interest rates for fixed-term deposits are now 0.95% for one year, 1.05% for two years, 1.25% for three years, and 1.3% for five years, with significant reductions in the longer-term rates [2] - The average reduction in deposit rates is approximately 16 BP, which is greater than the LPR cut, reflecting a protective measure for banks' interest margins [2][3] - The ongoing low interest rate environment is expected to alleviate debt burdens for enterprises and households, stimulate economic activity, and stabilize banks' asset quality, despite causing a significant impact on listed banks' operating income [2][4] Group 3 - The net interest margin for listed banks is projected to decline by 2.20% year-on-year in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline, with the average NIM expected to be 1.52% [4][5] - The first quarter of 2025 saw a further decrease in the net interest margin to 1.43%, which is significantly below the 1.8% warning level [4][5] - The trend of funds flowing from banks to non-bank financial institutions is exacerbated by the reduction in deposit rates, with a notable increase in bank liabilities to other financial companies [6]