Core Viewpoint - The trust industry is undergoing a transformation and is currently facing profitability challenges, with a significant decline in trust business income and net profit in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 [1][10][11]. Financial Performance - As of the first half of 2025, 53 trust companies reported a total trust business income of 181.31 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 11.38% from 204.59 billion yuan in the same period of 2024 [7][4]. - The net profit for these companies was 163.74 billion yuan, down 2.83% from 168.51 billion yuan in the previous year [7][4]. - Overall, the operating income for the industry decreased by 1.98%, and total profit fell by 3.72% year-on-year [2]. Business Structure Changes - The trust business is under pressure, with traditional high-yield trust business continuing to shrink, while proprietary business income has shown strong growth, increasing by 16.72% year-on-year [4][11]. - The decline in profit metrics is less severe than the drop in trust business income, indicating that trust companies are actively working on cost reduction and efficiency improvements [4]. Industry Challenges - The trust industry is transitioning from a traditional "interest margin-driven" profit model to a new model based on "management fees + performance sharing," which has led to a significant drop in trust business income [11][18]. - Increased compliance and operational costs due to stricter regulatory requirements are also impacting profitability [11]. - The industry is still dealing with legacy risk projects, which continue to erode profits [11]. Future Outlook - Experts believe that the trust industry, with its dual advantages in asset management and wealth management, has the potential for sustainable profitability and high-quality development as new business models are gradually adopted [1][17]. - The restructuring of profit models is seen as a critical necessity, with a focus on new business areas and enhancing active management capabilities [15][18]. - The industry is expected to stabilize and potentially recover as the proportion of new business increases and risk management continues [18].

Core Viewpoint - The trust industry in China is implementing new initiatives to enhance financial inclusivity, focusing on special needs trusts, real estate trusts, elderly care trusts, and intellectual property trusts, as highlighted by Shanghai Trust's recent developments [3][4][5]. Group 1: Special Needs Trusts - Shanghai Trust launched its first special needs trust in November 2024, aimed at providing comprehensive services for disabled individuals and elderly people with diminished capacity [3]. - The special needs trust integrates various assets and social resources to offer services such as life care, asset management, and elderly care, creating a "barrier-free financial" service environment [3]. Group 2: Real Estate and Elderly Care Trusts - Since 2022, Shanghai Trust has been actively exploring real estate and elderly care trusts, participating in legislative consultations for the new regulations on real estate trusts [4]. - The company successfully implemented the first "cash + real estate" family service trust in June 2024, enhancing the application of trust services in the real estate sector [4]. Group 3: Intellectual Property Trusts - Shanghai Trust, in collaboration with local medical institutions, launched the first corporate-operated intellectual property service trust in June 2024, aimed at facilitating the commercialization of clinical innovations [4]. Group 4: Future Plans for Inclusive Trust Services - The company plans to advance digitalization in trust services to better serve diverse social groups [5]. - There is a focus on developing family service trusts to make wealth management accessible to more individuals [5]. - The company aims to enhance prepaid fund trusts to support social governance and improve the business environment [5]. - Additionally, there is a commitment to expand elderly care and charitable trusts to contribute to the financial well-being of the elderly and promote common prosperity [5].