Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant decline in bank deposit interest rates, which have dropped to historical lows, and the resulting pressure on banks to meet mid-year assessment targets for deposit accumulation [1][2]. Group 1: Deposit Rate Decline - As of May, the average interest rates for 3-year and 5-year fixed deposits have decreased to 1.711% and 1.573%, respectively, with a month-on-month decline of over 30 basis points [3][4]. - All types of fixed deposits have entered the "1% era," with 3-month deposits averaging 1.004% and 6-month deposits at 1.212% [3]. - The decline in deposit rates has led to a noticeable drop in the scale of fixed deposit accumulation, increasing the pressure on banks to meet their mid-year deposit targets [2][6]. Group 2: Bank Strategies and Responses - Banks are actively marketing various financial products, including wealth management and insurance, to compensate for the lack of deposit growth [2][8]. - There is a notable increase in the activity of fund brokers, who are offering high prices to help banks meet their deposit targets, with reports of daily returns exceeding 91% for these transactions [6][7]. - Some banks have resorted to promotional activities, such as offering gifts for deposits, which have drawn regulatory scrutiny and led to the cessation of such practices [9][10]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - Regulatory bodies have issued warnings against the seasonal spikes in deposit accumulation and have mandated banks to optimize their assessment systems to curb irregular deposit behaviors [7][10]. - The emphasis is on maintaining stable deposit growth without resorting to non-compliant methods such as offering gifts or excessive interest rates [10][11]. - Analysts suggest that banks should focus on sustainable methods to attract deposits, such as efficient payroll services and selling financial products, rather than relying on high-interest rates or promotional gifts [10][11].