Core Viewpoint - The management of China Merchants Bank (CMB) expressed confidence in achieving steady progress and completing the annual budget goals despite recent challenges in the banking sector [2][4]. Group 1: Annual Performance Outlook - CMB's net profit growth turned positive in the first half of the year, with the second quarter performing better than the first, which faced significant pressure due to loan repricing [3][4]. - The bank aims to implement strategic development, enhance cost management, promote non-interest income, and strengthen asset quality to maintain a positive growth trajectory [4]. Group 2: Retail Business Strengths - CMB's retail business is supported by three key factors: technological capabilities, a dedicated workforce, and a customer-centric value system [5][6][7]. - Retail assets under management (AUM) reached 16.03 trillion yuan, with the highest growth in recent years, and retail wealth management income increased by 6% year-on-year [5]. Group 3: Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals - The bank emphasizes the importance of balancing short-term performance with long-term sustainability, likening banking operations to a marathon rather than a sprint [8]. - CMB aims to solidify its foundational aspects, including customer base and management, while focusing on long-term strategic goals [8]. Group 4: Changes in Customer Risk Preferences - There has been a shift in retail customers' risk preferences, with a gradual improvement in their inclination towards equity assets, although a conservative approach remains predominant [9]. - CMB is committed to providing a stable and comprehensive wealth management experience to meet evolving customer needs [9]. Group 5: Return on Equity (ROE) Management - CMB has established a financial management system focused on ROE, which currently stands at 13.85%, significantly higher than the industry average of around 9% [10][11]. - The bank aims to balance profit growth, net asset accumulation, and dividends to maintain a competitive ROE and meet investor expectations [11][12]. Group 6: Internationalization Strategy - CMB is accelerating its internationalization efforts, recognizing it as a new growth point amid increasing global integration and domestic market saturation [13]. - The bank has already established a network of overseas branches and is enhancing the capabilities of its international operations [13].

Group 1: Annual Performance Outlook - The company believes it can achieve steady progress and meet the budget goals set at the beginning of the year, with a positive outlook for the second half of the year [6][4] - The first quarter faced significant pressure due to loan repricing starting January 1, leading to a decline in net interest margin, but the second quarter showed improvement [6][4] - The company plans to focus on strategic development, cost management, non-interest income growth, and asset quality control to maintain a positive trajectory [6][4] Group 2: Retail Business Strengths - The retail business is supported by three key factors: technological capabilities, a dedicated workforce, and a customer-centric value system [5][7] - Retail assets under management (AUM) reached 16.03 trillion yuan, with the highest growth in recent years, and retail wealth management income increased by 6% year-on-year [7][5] Group 3: Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals - The company emphasizes that banking is a marathon, not a sprint, and must focus on long-term sustainability rather than short-term gains [11][12] - It aims to strengthen foundational aspects such as customer base, workforce, management, and business to ensure long-term success [11][12] Group 4: Changes in Customer Risk Preferences - There has been a shift in retail customers' risk preferences, with a gradual improvement in their willingness to engage in riskier investments [12][5] - The company aims to adapt to market trends and customer needs to provide a comprehensive wealth management experience [12][5] Group 5: Return on Equity (ROE) Management - The company's ROE is currently at 13.85%, significantly higher than the industry average of around 9%, and it aims to maintain this leading position [13][14] - Future ROE levels will depend on the recovery of profitability, net asset growth, and dividend policies [14][13] Group 6: Internationalization Strategy - The company is accelerating its internationalization efforts, recognizing it as a new growth point amid increasing global integration [15][16] - It has established a network of overseas branches and is enhancing the capabilities of its international operations [16][15]

Core Viewpoint - The forum hosted by China Merchants Bank emphasizes the high-quality development of wealth management in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, highlighting the potential for growth in China's wealth management industry as it transitions to a globalized stage [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Trends and Changes - China's wealth management industry has significant growth potential as the country shifts from a financial power to a financial stronghold, with rising asset valuations and a recovering capital market attracting global funds [2]. - The low-interest-rate environment in China since 2021 poses challenges for wealth management institutions, impacting investment returns and operational pressures [2]. - Customer demand is evolving towards a more comprehensive approach, requiring wealth management firms to enhance their service capabilities to meet diverse needs [2]. - Wealth management must accelerate its transformation to achieve high-quality development, shifting from a focus on numerous small entities to fewer, stronger ones, and moving towards internationalization [2]. - The technological revolution, particularly AI, is expected to disrupt wealth management, transforming service methods, operational models, and decision-making processes [2]. Group 2: Company Strategies and Achievements - China Merchants Bank is committed to high-quality development in wealth management and asset management, achieving notable results through its strategic focus [2]. - The bank's business model is evolving to prioritize long-term effectiveness, emphasizing customer retention over mere sales [3]. - The bank maintains a balanced and robust business structure, utilizing a multi-asset and multi-strategy approach based on customer risk preferences [3]. - Customer experience is being enhanced through a focus on certainty in supply strategies and effective risk management [3]. - The bank is leveraging technology for efficiency, developing a digital foundation that incorporates cloud, AI, and centralized platforms [3]. Group 3: Future Directions and Collaborations - The bank aims to be a builder of a financial strong nation, integrating into national financial strategies to support the real economy and enhance global competitiveness [3]. - It seeks to create long-term value for clients by prioritizing customer needs and enhancing wealth management experiences [3]. - The bank is positioned as a service provider for global asset allocation, with an international layout centered around Hong Kong [3]. - It is pioneering in the "AI + Finance" space, implementing an "AI First" strategy to become a leading intelligent bank [3]. - The bank emphasizes regulatory compliance and self-discipline, promoting healthy competition within the industry [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the high-quality development of wealth management in China, emphasizing the role of China Merchants Bank in this evolving landscape and its commitment to leveraging the Greater Bay Area's advantages to integrate into the global wealth management market [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - China Merchants Bank has strengthened its comprehensive strength over 38 years, ranking 8th in the latest global bank ranking by Tier 1 capital [2]. - The bank serves over 200 million individual customers, managing total retail customer assets exceeding 16 trillion yuan, with asset custody exceeding 24 trillion yuan and asset management nearing 4.5 trillion yuan [2]. - The bank's retail insurance distribution has surpassed 1 trillion yuan [2]. Group 2: Industry Trends - The wealth management industry in China is facing new trends and opportunities, driven by global economic and financial integration, with significant growth potential [2]. - The low-interest-rate environment in China is expected to have a profound impact on wealth management, increasing customer demand for enhanced management capabilities [2]. - The rapid advancement of technology, particularly AI, is anticipated to disrupt traditional wealth management practices [2]. Group 3: Business Strategies - The bank is shifting its wealth management model from focusing on transaction volume (GMV) to asset under management (AUM), emphasizing customer retention [3]. - A balanced business structure is maintained through a multi-asset and multi-strategy approach, utilizing the TREE asset allocation service system [3]. - The bank has developed seven product lines, including wealth management, funds, insurance, private equity, overseas investments, gold, and deposits, to ensure balanced growth in AUM and revenue [3]. Group 4: Customer Experience and Technology - The bank aims to enhance customer experience through a "certainty" supply strategy and improved product management and risk control [4]. - A monitoring system for key product mapping has been established to ensure standardized product management [4]. - The bank is advancing its digital transformation by building a "cloud + AI + middle platform" infrastructure, launching intelligent applications for wealth management [4]. Group 5: Industry Initiatives - The bank's president proposed five key roles for the industry: as builders of a strong financial nation, creators of long-term value, service providers for global asset allocation, pioneers in AI and finance, and practitioners of market norms [5][6]. - The bank emphasizes the importance of integrating into national financial strategies and supporting the development of the Greater Bay Area [5]. - The bank aims to leverage its large customer base to enhance wealth management experiences and facilitate global asset allocation services [6].