Fitch downgrades six Chinese banks

Fitch downgrades six Chinese banks to A (from A+)

• Outlook Stable

The six banks are:

• China Development Bank (CDB),
• The Export-Import Bank of
  China (ExIm),
• Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC),
• Postal Savings
  Bank of China Co., Ltd. (PSBC),
• Standard Chartered Bank (China) Limited (SCBC)
• and United Overseas Bank (China) Limited (UOBC).

CDB, Exlm, and ADBC are ‘policy banks’ and their ratings are aligned with China’s sovereign rating. While Fitch says

• “the sovereign rating downgrade indicates
  the government’s
  reduced ability to provide the same level of extraordinary
  support to the
  banks”,
• “Our expectation of a ‘Very Strong’ support
  propensity from the
  government for the three policy banks and PSBC remains
  unchanged.”

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If you need ……..

In China, a “policy bank” refers to a state-owned financial institution that operates primarily to implement government policy rather than to pursue profit like a commercial bank. These banks are a key part of China’s financial system and are used to fund and support major national development objectives.

Key features of policy banks in China:

1. Government-backed and owned
   They are fully owned by the central government and often enjoy implicit (or explicit) sovereign guarantees, meaning they can access capital at lower costs and take on more risk.

2. Mandated missions
   They serve specific strategic goals such as financing infrastructure, supporting export industries, or funding poverty alleviation and rural development—projects that might not attract private investment due to long horizons or low profitability.

3. Not profit-driven
   Unlike commercial banks, they’re not focused on maximizing returns. Their lending is often directed by national policy priorities, even if it involves higher risks or lower returns.

4. Main examples of Chinese policy banks:

   • China Development Bank (CDB): Funds infrastructure, industrial policy, and overseas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.

   • Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank): Provides export credits, overseas investment support, and trade finance—especially for Chinese companies operating abroad.

   • Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC): Supports agricultural and rural development, including food security and poverty reduction.

These institutions play a crucial role in mobilising long-term funding for large-scale national initiatives and shaping economic development both domestically and internationally.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at www.forexlive.com.