Fintech and Financial Risks of Systemically Important Commercial Banks in China: An Inverted U-Shaped Relationship

Abstract

The past decade has seen impressive developments in financial technology (FinTech) in China. As a new technology and innovative method that competes with, and also supplements, traditional financial methods, fintech has had a significant impact on traditional financial businesses and has thus challenged the role of commercial banks as credit intermediaries in the financial sector. This paper examines the potential risks that fintech brings to commercial banks in China, and collects data from 19 systemically important banks from 2011–2020 to analyze the effect of fintech development on commercial banks’ financial risks in order to achieve sustainable development in the financial sector. Using the Z value and non-performing loan ratio as the criterion variables, this study shows that the impact of fintech on the financial risks of systemically important banks demonstrates an inverted U-shaped pattern, with the financial risk increasing first and then decreasing alongside the further development of fintech. The results also show that commercial banks’ responses to fintech development has been comparatively slow. Managerial suggestions are then discussed on risk supervision for commercial banks and the financial sector in China and other emerging markets.