On September 3, 2026, media reported that several commercial banks in Shanghai are implementing new mortgage rules. Because they enforce the restriction that age plus loan term must not exceed 75 years, borrowers must be under 35 to take out the full newly introduced 40-year mortgage.
In Q2 2026, the net interest margin of commercial banks fell to 1.25%, with the margins of the four major banks — ICBC, ABC, BOC and CCB — ranging between 1.23% and 1.29%, and the posted one-year deposit rate already cut to 0.95%.
Relevant data show that the net interest margin of China's banking sector has dropped to 1.2%, squeezing the profit margins of commercial banks.
The State Council announced the issuance of 300 billion yuan in special treasury bonds to replenish the capital of the six major commercial banks, exposing the fact that bank capital has been severely depleted.
In 2025, the net interest margin of China's commercial banks dropped to 1.4%, with the Bank of China at 1.26%, and net interest income experienced negative growth for two consecutive years.
The central bank specified that the maximum term for personal housing loans issued by commercial banks with credit funds will be extended from 20 years to 30 years.
The Ministry of Finance issued 270 billion yuan in special treasury bonds to replenish the capital of the Big Four banks, and set up four major asset management companies to strip off 1.4 trillion yuan in non-performing assets.
In 1995, the Law on the People's Bank of China and the Commercial Bank Law were passed, marking the initial establishment of China's modern financial framework.