https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/china-closes-hundreds-of-banks-to-bolster-financial-systemContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/china-closes-hundreds-of-banks-to-bolster-financial-systemhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/china-closes-hundreds-of-banks-to-bolster-financial-system#u108413Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:32:36 +0000China has closed hundreds of small and rural banks to strengthen its financial system amid slowing economic growth. Authorities shuttered 670 banking institutions in 2025, consolidating lenders to create fewer, larger, and better-capitalized entities. This cleanup reduces the total number of banking institutions by nearly a quarter, or about 23 to 25 percent, as the government pushes for tighter oversight and financial stability.Why it mattersBeijing is accelerating the cleanup of smaller institutions to preserve financial stability as broader economic growth slows down. Authorities are mergin