Recent volatility in domestic and international precious metal prices has intensified, with market uncertainty significantly increasing. The six major state-owned banks have issued multiple announcements adjusting their gold-related businesses and highlighting transaction risks.
On February 1, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) issued a risk warning via the official WeChat account of its precious metals business department, "ICBC Gold Trader." Given the recent sharp fluctuations in domestic and international precious metal prices and significantly heightened market uncertainty, ICBC advised clients to maintain a rational investment mindset, based on a prudent assessment of their own risk tolerance, and to avoid blindly chasing rallies or selling in panic. The announcement recommended that clients adopt a medium- to long-term perspective, adhere to the principles of batch diversification and moderate balance in their investment allocations, while closely monitoring market movements, reasonably controlling position sizes, and effectively guarding against market volatility risks.
Previously, on January 30, ICBC posted an announcement on its official website stating that, effective February 7, it would adjust the handling times for its Ruyi Gold Accumulation Plan and sales of physical gold products with floating pricing. Furthermore, on weekends and statutory holidays—non-trading days for the Shanghai Gold Exchange—the Ruyi Gold Accumulation Plan would be subject to quota management with dynamically set limits.
On January 29, Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) issued a "Notice on Adjusting the Margin Ratio for Deferred Contracts in the Bank's Agency Personal Precious Metals Trading Business with the Shanghai Gold Exchange." Effective from the close and clearing on January 30, the margin ratio for Au(T+D) (Gold Deferred Settlement Contract) and mAu(T+D) (Mini Gold Deferred Settlement Contract) was adjusted from 44% to 60%. Concurrently, ABC reminded clients to pay attention to changes in trading margin requirements and position risks, reasonably control their position sizes, and engage in rational trading.
Earlier, on January 26, ABC announced that it would add a risk tolerance assessment as an access requirement for individual clients participating in Cunjintong Gold Accumulation transactions. The announcement specified that starting January 30, when individual clients apply to sign up for, purchase, or set up scheduled investments in Cunjintong Gold Accumulation business (including Cunjintong No. 1 and No. 2), they must complete a risk tolerance evaluation using the bank's standardized risk assessment questionnaire through the application channel and obtain a result of "Cautious" or higher. ABC advised investors to enhance their risk awareness and conduct Cunjintong Gold Accumulation business rationally based on their own financial situation and risk tolerance.
On January 30, Bank of China (BOC) issued an announcement stating that numerous uncertainties exist in the precious metals market, leading to substantial price fluctuations. To protect the interests of clients involved in precious metal-related businesses such as Accumulation Gold, Profit Gold, and Account Precious Metals, BOC specifically reminded clients to take precautions against market risks, engage in precious metals trading based on their financial status and risk tolerance, reasonably control their precious metals position sizes, and guard against the risk of capital losses due to price volatility.
On January 30, China Construction Bank (CCB) announced an adjustment to the minimum periodic investment amount for its personal gold accumulation business. Effective from 9:10 AM on February 2, the minimum periodic investment amount for CCB's personal gold accumulation business (including both average daily accumulation and self-selected date accumulation) was raised to 1,500 yuan.
Simultaneously, CCB cautioned that recent volatility in domestic and international precious metal prices has intensified, elevating market risks. The bank urged clients to heighten their risk awareness regarding precious metals businesses and to invest rationally based on their financial situation and risk tolerance. When investing in precious metals, clients should reasonably control their positions, promptly monitor changes in their holdings and margin account balances, and guard against risks in the precious metals market.
Bank of Communications and Postal Savings Bank of China also issued trading advisory notices. On January 29, Bank of Communications announced adjustments to the suitability management requirements for its Precious Metals Wallet and Wode Gold Accumulation businesses. On January 21, Postal Savings Bank of China issued a "Notice on Further Adjusting the Margin Ratio for Deferred Contracts for Individual Clients of Our Bank with the Shanghai Gold Exchange," stating that effective from the close and clearing on January 22, the margin ratio for contracts including Au(T+D), Au(T+N1) (Gold Single-Month Deferred Contract), Au(T+N2) (Gold Double-Month Deferred Contract), and mAu(T+D) would be adjusted from 80% to 120%.
Expert Reminder: Investment and wealth management should be based on one's own investment experience, investment capability, and risk preference. Choose methods that suit you and products you understand. Implement asset allocation appropriate for the individual and family. Do not easily chase rallies or sell in panic. Avoid following the crowd and making blind investments.
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