China Merchants Bank Focuses on Maintaining Leading Net Interest Margin

China Merchants Bank has highlighted the impact of the low-interest-rate environment on traditional banking profitability. According to RTHK, Chairman Miao Jianmin emphasized the importance of maintaining a leading net interest margin in the industry during this year's outlook at the bank's performance briefing. President and CEO Wang Liang noted that the bank's net interest margin remained ahead of peers last year and expects a stable yet slightly reduced margin this year, with a narrower decline compared to last year. He anticipates further interest rate cuts and reserve requirement reductions, which could affect loan yields. Wang explained that overall credit demand remains insufficient, with intense competition among banks leading to disorderly competition. Vice President Peng Jiawen stated that the goal for this year is to minimize the reduction in the interest margin and achieve stabilization as soon as possible, while maintaining industry leadership in net interest margin.