On August 28, China Everbright Bank Company Limited released its 2026 semi-annual report. As of the end of June, the bank's non-performing loan (NPL) balance reached 58.639 billion yuan, an increase of 7.897 billion yuan compared to the end of the previous year. The NPL ratio stood at 1.44%, up 0.17 percentage points from the prior year-end, while the provision coverage ratio dropped to 150.02%, a decrease of 24.12 percentage points. Meanwhile, the loan provision ratio was 2.16%, down 0.06 percentage points from the end of last year.
In response to questions about fluctuations in key asset quality indicators during the bank's 2026 interim results conference, Vice President Qi Ye acknowledged that asset quality metrics have shown some volatility and pressure in the first half of the year. He attributed this to the bank being at a critical stage of its own development and transformation. "Facing both internal and external conditions, we have implemented multiple measures this year to actively mitigate risks, reasonably set aside provisions, and intensify the disposal of non-performing assets. These steps are crucial for our future growth," Qi stated.
Looking ahead, Qi outlined that China Everbright Bank Company Limited will further strengthen its operational framework and continuously enhance comprehensive risk management capabilities. The bank plans to effectively translate its credit policies and lending strategies into action, guiding credit resources toward key areas of the "15th Five-Year Plan" and high-quality market participants. This approach aims to optimize incremental lending and build a resilient, high-quality asset portfolio.
Additionally, the bank intends to tighten credit management throughout the entire process. In the pre-lending phase, risk controls will be pushed forward, with a focus on strictly managing the quality of new customer admissions. Emphasis will be placed on thorough customer due diligence and anti-fraud measures, ensuring robust evaluation of borrower qualifications and repayment capacity. The bank will also dynamically adjust admission strategies in response to evolving risk conditions to prevent new risks at the source.
During the lending phase, the bank will improve the efficiency and quality of credit reviews, strengthening risk identification capabilities and conducting forward-looking risk management. In the post-lending phase, it will concentrate on preventing risks in key areas, maintaining high-frequency early warning systems and continuous monitoring to proactively address future risk developments. Furthermore, China Everbright Bank Company Limited will advance the professionalization, refinement, and intensification of special asset management, employing multiple strategies to push forward the resolution and disposal of risky assets.
"Overall, the bank's asset quality remains manageable," Qi Ye concluded.