Group 1 - The banking industry is entering a "New Year" preparation phase, with some banks raising fixed deposit rates despite a general downward trend in deposit rates [1][4] - Banks like Hangzhou Bank, Ningbo Bank, and Shengjing Bank have recently increased rates on certain deposit products to attract customers during the traditional year-end savings season [1][3] - The increase in deposit rates is seen as a temporary measure by some banks, with potential for future rate reductions as they aim to lower funding costs [1][4] Group 2 - Specific rate adjustments include Hangzhou Bank raising its 3-year fixed deposit rate for new funds of 200,000 yuan to 1.9%, an increase of 10 basis points [2][3] - Ningbo Bank has also raised its 1-year fixed deposit rate for new funds of 200,000 yuan to a maximum of 1.6%, up from 1.5% [3] - Shengjing Bank introduced new deposit products with rates of 1.65%, 1.75%, and 1.85% for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year terms, respectively [3] Group 3 - Industry experts suggest that the rate increases are a response to competitive pressures, particularly among smaller regional banks, as they prepare for the upcoming "New Year" competition [4] - Some banks have begun to phase out high-cost long-term deposits, with major state-owned banks collectively withdrawing 5-year large-denomination certificates of deposit [5] - The current environment allows banks to flexibly adjust deposit rates based on their specific business strategies and market conditions [5][6] Group 4 - The trend of declining long-term deposit products is evident, with major banks lowering rates and some even discontinuing 3-year and 5-year fixed deposit products [10] - As deposit rates approach zero, there is a growing interest among residents in investment and wealth management alternatives, with a notable shift towards diversified asset allocation [11][13] - The "New Three Golds" investment strategy, which includes money market funds, bond funds, and gold ETFs, is gaining popularity among younger investors as they seek stable returns with manageable risks [8][9][14]