Upon hearing this, Qi Xikai turned to Hu Haiyang and smiled gently, "Mayor Hu, let Comrade Xiaoguan speak freely. You've made him even more restrained."
After saying that, he gave 놖 an encouraging look, motioning for 놖 to continue.
After Hu Haiyang's reminder, Wang realized that reports to his superiors must be clear and well-organized, without any dragging. He gathered his composure and began again, "City Bank's current predicament has indeed become a ticking time bomb affecting the city's economic development and financial stability. The key to resolving this dilemma lies in resolutely advancing the city's established direction of shareholding reform. However, Wang believes that simply completing the shareholding reform is far from enough. The true solution lies in establishing a clear strategic positioning for the bank and building a truly market-oriented governance system around this goal. Only in this way can City Bank transform its negative assets into positive returns, allowing financial liquidity to truly nourish the real economy and achieve a virtuous cycle."
Qi Xikai smiled and nodded. "It seems our new president has a plan in mind. Could you please be more specific? I'd really like to hear your thoughts."
Hu Haiyang gently reminded him, "Secretary Qi holds a PhD in Applied Economics from Renmin University. Don't let your discussion of this in front of him be like showing off your skills before an expert."
Qi Xikai waved his hand dismissively, saying, "No matter how profound one's knowledge, one shouldn't engage in academic sectarianism. Isn't Comrade Xiaoguan also pursuing a master's degree abroad? We could discuss this together. One's own stones can polish jade; more communication is always beneficial."
Hu Haiyang smiled and said tactfully, "Secretary Qi is very modest and a rare 'wise ruler.' If you have any ideas, feel free to share them."
After calming himself down a bit, he said, "The first step is to complete the shareholding reform. We need to find strategic partners, attract funds, replenish capital, and meet regulatory red lines as soon as possible. This is the fundamental way for the bank to survive."
Qi Xi tapped his fingers lightly on the table and asked thoughtfully, "What do you think should be the most important focus at this stage?"
He glanced at Hu Haiyang nearby, wondering whether he should reveal everything. After a moment's hesitation, he chose a cautious approach: "No matter which party we invite to cooperate, there is one bottom line we must uphold: ensuring state-owned capital control."
As the words fell, he vaguely caught a glint in Qi Xukai's eyes. He didn't immediately express his opinion, as if he was pondering.
Yet Hu Haiyang spoke up anyway. He smiled and shook his head, his tone realistic and direct: "Given City Bank's current situation, it's already difficult to find investors willing to invest. If they still insist on state-owned capital..." He paused, a hint of resignation in his smile. "Ideals are beautiful, but reality, I'm afraid, will be very bleak."
It seemed that Qi Xikai also agreed with Hu Haiyang's point of view. He nodded slightly. The movement was very light, but it made the atmosphere suddenly tense.
He calmed himself and continued, "I understand this is indeed difficult. But ultimately, whether investors are willing to invest real money depends on one single factor: whether the money can generate returns. If we can provide a clear and credible vision for the future, allowing them to truly see a return on their investment, then the question of 'who holds the final say' may no longer be the primary consideration."
Qi Xikai and Hu Haiyang exchanged glances once more, a silent exchange of words. When he looked back at Hu Haiyang, his gaze was filled with clear affirmation. "So," he asked, getting to the point, "do you have a specific partner?"
This question came so suddenly that it put him in a dilemma. If he answered "yes," he would be in a passive position if something unexpected happened in the future. If he answered "no," would he think that his impassioned speech was just empty talk?
In a flash, without time to think, he answered immediately:
"Yes, it's the Daxun Group I mentioned earlier. I've had preliminary discussions with Chairman Lin of the group, and she's already interested. As a listed company, if they can be the first to subscribe for shares, they will undoubtedly play a crucial role in leading the charge."
He paused briefly before introducing more solid evidence: "More importantly, on May 26th of this year, the China Banking Regulatory Commission issued the 'Implementation Opinions on Encouraging and Guiding Private Capital to Enter the Banking Industry.' This policy clearly states that by lowering the qualification threshold and optimizing the equity structure, it will promote private capital into the banking industry and promote fair competition and diversified development in the market. The policy tailwind has arrived. If we can seize this opportunity, the equity reform of city banks will definitely succeed."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xukai slapped the table lightly. "Very good, my worries are finally over." He looked at him intently, "President Guan, do you have any ideas about the bank's future development strategy?"
"During my studies in the UK, I had in-depth discussions with various financial experts and was deeply inspired," he continued. "First, in this era of internet connectivity, especially with mobile internet becoming an essential part of the infrastructure, banks' business philosophy and service methods must undergo a fundamental transformation."
Qi Xikai pressed the issue sharply, "You mean, you want to turn City Bank into an online bank?"
"Exactly!" he affirmed. "As a local bank, we can't compete with giants like the Agricultural Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and the China Construction Bank in terms of scale and strength. In terms of service and branches, we can hardly surpass the Postal Savings Bank of China and the Rural Credit Cooperatives. If we want to break through this gap, we have to find another way."
He further elaborated on the logic: "What's more, global financial development is showing an 'asset-light' trend. Instead of blindly adding branches and expanding into new markets, they are striving to reduce production and labor costs. To avoid their own disadvantages and break out of homogeneous competition, their only way out is to fully enter the new arena of online finance."
Hu Haiyang interrupted and asked, "Internet finance is no longer a new thing. Are you sure you can compete in this competitive market?"
He smiled faintly, his tone calm, "It's precisely because others have paved the way before us that we can avoid many detours. We see the direction clearly and avoid traps—so, in fact, we have more confidence."
Qi Xikai then asked the core question: "How can we attract money from ordinary people?"
He responded frankly, "Although the central bank has given small and medium-sized banks some wiggle room for interest rates, that limited spread alone isn't enough to reassure depositors about placing their money in our banks. Therefore, the best solution is to develop competitive wealth management products to attract capital flows."
The company went on to elaborate on the specific approach: "We are considering sticking to the online direction. On the one hand, we will sell through our own online banking and mobile banking. On the other hand, we will actively cooperate with third-party e-commerce platforms to expand the sales channels of wealth management products."
Qi Xikai keenly grasped the key point and asked, "This will inevitably increase operating costs. How will you achieve profitability?"
He paused for a moment before replying, "The specific profit model is still being refined, but the direction is clear—we must turn to inclusive finance and consumer finance. Loans will primarily target small and micro businesses and farmers, customers often overlooked by large banks. At the same time, we will provide convenient third-party payment services through the internet, and achieve profitability through models like installment payments to truly stimulate consumption."
Just when he was talking about the key point, a well-dressed young man knocked on the door. Judging from his demeanor, he should be Qi Xikai's secretary.
He reminded in a low voice: "Secretary Qi, the next meeting is about to begin."
Although the voice was soft, the urging was obvious.
Qi Xukai nodded slightly, but his gaze still lingered on Wang, with a hint of lingering reluctance: "I was listening attentively, but unfortunately, I have official business to attend to. I will have to find another opportunity to listen to your grand blueprint."
He stood up, shook hands with her and said goodbye, then left with Hu Haiyang.
When he reached the door, he suddenly turned around and said to her, "Don't leave tonight. Let Xiao Liu arrange a place for you to stay."
Without waiting for a response, he gave his secretary a few words and left in a hurry.
놖 stood there, savoring this "interview" in his heart - I wonder how much 놖's performance would score in Qi Xikai's heart.
Wang declined Xiao Liu's arrangement and did not stay at Dong'an Hotel, which was the designated reception hotel of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government.
The reason for the refusal was simple: most of the people who come and go there are people from within the system, so it is inevitable that there will be a lot of people and eyes, and I need a quiet environment to do my job.
Finally, he chose a VIP suite in a high-end hotel, which was quiet and crowded, just what he needed.
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