Recent reports claiming that ICBC had raised the minimum deposit threshold for its 3-year large-certificate-of-deposit (CD) to 1 million yuan sparked market attention. The reports indicated that ICBC’s fourth issuance of 3-year personal large-CDs in 2025 required a minimum deposit of 1 million yuan, offering an annual interest rate of just 1.55%—the same as its 3-year fixed deposit product with a minimum threshold of only 50 yuan and significantly higher than the industry’s typical 200,000-yuan entry point.
However, verification reveals that ICBC has not uniformly raised the threshold for 3-year large-CDs but instead adopted a differentiated product strategy.
According to official ICBC sources, on May 20 this year, the bank simultaneously issued two 3-year large-CD products: the third and fourth issuances for 2025. The reported "1 million yuan threshold" applies only to the fourth issuance, which targets "high-end" clients, while the third issuance maintains the industry-standard 200,000-yuan minimum deposit. Both products offer the same 1.55% annual interest rate.
As of December 3, ICBC’s fourth issuance (1 million yuan threshold) has sold out, while the third issuance (200,000 yuan threshold) remains available for subscription.
An ICBC customer service representative clarified that the two products were launched simultaneously and that the differing thresholds were not a subsequent adjustment. "Large-CDs are issued in batches with limited quantities, following a first-come-first-served basis. Each issuance has unique terms," the representative explained. "The 'high-end' large-CD primarily controls the deposit amount, not the client segment—anyone meeting the threshold can subscribe."
A check on ICBC’s mobile banking app confirmed that the third issuance (200,000 yuan, 1.55% rate) is still open with ample remaining quota (>10 million yuan), while the fourth issuance is marked "sold out." Apart from the deposit threshold, both products share identical core features, including interest calculation rules, early withdrawal terms, and transferability.
Notably, Agricultural Bank of China has also adopted a tiered deposit threshold system for its large-CDs. Its 2024-2025 RMB personal large-CD catalog shows two 3-year issuances (October 16) with minimum deposits of 200,000 yuan and 5 million yuan, both offering a 1.55% rate.
Dong Ximiao, Chief Researcher at Zhaolian and Deputy Director of the Shanghai Finance & Development Lab, views this trend as part of a broader industry shift where banks are transforming traditional large-deposit products into tools for client relationship management.
"Some banks allocate scarce medium-to-long-term deposit quotas as exclusive resources for high-end clients or to attract premium customers from competitors," Dong noted. "For these clients, the 1.55% rate isn’t the main appeal—safety, stability, and tailored services matter more."
Market trends show large-CDs are increasingly shifting toward shorter terms and differentiated thresholds, with many banks discontinuing long-term offerings.
Amid declining deposit rates and investment yields, experts advise investors to adjust expectations and balance risk-return trade-offs. "Investors seeking higher returns must accept higher risks; those prioritizing stability should opt for lower-yield products like cash-management wealth products, money funds, or government bonds," Dong suggested.
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