ICBC Vice President Wang Jingwu: The pressure to control asset quality for inclusive and personal loans is increasing, but overall risks remain manageable.

On March 27, financial frontline news reported that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) held its 2025 annual performance briefing today. The bank’s Vice President Wang Jingwu stated that since the 14th Five-Year Plan, the group’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio has continuously improved by no less than two basis points each year. By the end of 2025, the group’s NPL ratio is 1.31%, down 3 basis points from the beginning of the year, achieving a successful conclusion to the asset quality control work during the 14th Five-Year Plan.

He stated: “The asset quality control pressure in inclusive finance and personal loans has increased, which is a common issue across the industry. However, ICBC has always insisted on maintaining a bottom line, actively and prudently preventing and mitigating risks. Currently, the credit risk in these two major segments is generally controllable, and provisions are adequate.”

In terms of inclusive loans, ICBC has continuously enhanced the coverage, accessibility, and satisfaction of inclusive financial services through measures such as vigorously supporting the real economy, strengthening service for key customer groups, improving the digital inclusive product library, reinforcing operational support, and perfecting the comprehensive service system.

Regarding personal loans, ICBC is diligently implementing the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, focusing on its main responsibilities and actively aligning with various policies for existing and growing loans, continuously enhancing the market competitiveness, value creation, and risk control of personal loan business. In terms of development, it strengthens management of total volume, costs, and interest rates, continuously cultivating sustainable development momentum, and striving to achieve effective quality improvement and reasonable quantitative growth.

Specifically, first, it assesses the development trends of the real estate market, implements national policies on constructing a new model for real estate development, promotes the construction of good housing, and works to stabilize the real estate market; second, it strengthens the orientation of people’s livelihood policies, innovates financial service models, enhances the supply of consumer finance, and continuously stimulates diverse and differentiated consumption potential; third, it addresses the weak links in financial services and improves the quality and efficiency of services in rural and commercial sectors.