The performance of the trust industry in the PRC softened in 2016 – the first time in many years that the industry in mainland China has had a fall in revenues. The reliance of the industry on the traditional model of institutional dividends appears unsustainable, and innovation of industry models and structural adjustment have become emerging themes. Although most trust companies were still unable to return to the level recorded in 2015 in the first half of 2017, their overall performance generally stabilised, the scale of trust assets had expanded gradually, the sources of trust funds had become more diversified, and the functions and investments had been optimised continuously. 

We have also analysed the impacts of hot topics on the industry such as the macro-prudential assessment system, financial work conference, value-added tax reform, Fintech and the Administrative Measures for Trust Registration.

In addition, we have summarised the key financial data and indicators of the 68 trust companies in 2015 and 2016, together with their rankings, to enable readers to gain a better understanding of the key financial information and the changing landscape of the companies in the industry.