40 Banks in China Facing Bankruptcy – Here’s Why

China is witnessing a surge in bank failures, driven by a declining property market and poor risk management.

Recently, 40 small banks were absorbed by larger institutions in just one week, a scale of consolidation not seen since the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and 90s, according to The Economist.

About 3,800 rural lenders in China, holding $7.5 trillion in assets, are struggling with bad loans, with some reporting up to 40% non-performing loans.

Most of the failing banks were merged into Liaoning Rural Commercial Bank, created by regulators to manage troubled banks. Five similar institutions have been established in the past 10 months, raising concerns about creating larger problematic banks.

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Despite economic challenges, including declines in construction, consumer confidence, and a rising debt-to-GDP ratio, China’s largest banks are thriving. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China remains the largest bank in the Asia Pacific, and China Construction Bank saw significant market cap growth in Q2 2024.

S&P Global warns that smaller banks are most vulnerable to a prolonged property market downturn, with the government becoming more selective in its support. Rural banks show the highest non-performing loan ratios and weakest capital buffers, indicating more financial troubles ahead.

Alexander Stefanov