# retail deposits

China’s Small Banks Raise Deposit Rates in Targeted Push for Funds — A Sign of Funding Strain, Not a Market Reprieve

Several Chinese small and rural banks have raised deposit rates selectively — by up to about 20 basis points — using time-limited or high-minimum products to attract funding at the start of 2026. The moves reflect year-beginning funding drives and competitive pressures on institutions with weaker deposit franchises, not a broad reversal of the downtrend in deposit pricing.