Interbank equity investment spree heats up, and small and medium-sized banks become an important driver of reform.

Recently, the acquisition of 7.635% equity stake in Ningxia Yellow River Rural Commercial Bank by Ningxia Bank was approved, making it the third largest shareholder of the latter. This is not an isolated case. This year, cases such as Xiamen International Bank increasing its stake in Langfang Bank and China CITIC Bank acquiring equity in Yunnan Hongta Bank have been successively implemented. Industry insiders believe that from investing in banks in different regions to expanding business through strategic investments in other banks, the participation in shares of other banks has become an important means for banks to actively optimize asset allocation, improve regional strategic layouts, and expand business territories.