Chart of the Week: China banks' asset growth slows in 1H17

Growth decelerated to 4.4% in the first half of the year.

The 16 Moody's-rated listed banks reported asset growth of only 4.4% in the first half of 2017, which was markedly slower from the double-digit growth in the past decade.

"Growth was even negative for some joint-stock commercial banks. In particular, total assets of two banks shrunk while those of another bank barely changed in the period," said Moody's.