CITIC SEC released a research report stating that China's maturing 2-year+ time deposits in 2026 could reach RMB 45 trillion, with banks expected to benefit from both operational fundamentals and investment liquidity as funds migrate from fixed deposits. For banks: 1) Fundamentals will improve as reduced long-term deposit ratios lower liability costs; 2) Valuations may rise as absolute-return incremental capital enters the market, favoring stable-return sectors. The firm maintains optimism about banking stocks' stable-return asset attributes in the coming phase.
Key points: 1. Research Background: The 2026 maturity wall of bank time deposits may become a crucial variable affecting financial products and markets next year. 2. Deposit Dynamics: Closely tied to income expectations and yield comparisons. Historical patterns show: - Time deposit ratios negatively correlate with future income confidence indices (rising during low-confidence periods like 2013-2016 and 2021-present). - Deposit tenures correlate with yield spreads (3/5-year deposits surged when their spreads over Yu'ebao peaked in 2020/2023).
Projections indicate RMB 45 trillion in mid/long-term deposits will mature in 2026. Analysis of 15 listed banks' deposit maturity data reveals: 1) 2025/2026 maturities (RMB 35tn/45tn) significantly exceed historical RMB 20-30tn levels; 2) 2026 maturities may hit RMB 38tn for 3-year deposits originated in 2023; 3) Regional banks show higher long-term deposit ratios than national peers.
Market Implications: 1. Deposit Trends: Short-term products likely gain preference amid declining rates. 2. Financial Products: Dividend insurance and cash management products stand to benefit, with effects already visible in H2 2025. 3. Financial Markets: Equities and short-term bonds may gain most - equities from insurance inflows and risk-tolerant capital, short bonds from cash management demand, while money/long-bond markets face volatility from bank liquidity adjustments.
Banking Outlook: 1. Improved NIMs: Shorter tenures and non-bank deposits could lower funding costs, with 2026 NIM compression narrowing to 3-4bps. 2. Liquidity Challenges: Less stable non-bank deposits and shorter tenures may strain reserve management and negatively impact LCR/NSFR metrics.
Risk Factors: Unexpected deterioration in asset quality; adverse regulatory changes.
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