Episode 15 recap: Hao Wei Will Stop at Nothing to Defeat Lin Qiang
In Episode 15, Hao Wei made a bold claim that he would absorb Lin Qiang's Longyuan branch within 3 months. To achieve this, he pulled out all the stops - not only did he dispatch employees to aggressively solicit deposits, but he also offered higher interest rates and gift incentives to successfully attract a flood of Longyuan branch's customers. Hearing that morale was plummeting within the Longyuan branch, with some employees even jumping ship preemptively, Hao Wei knew Lin Qiang would not go down without a fight, so he remained vigilantly on guard.
Hao Wei had witnessed firsthand how Lin Qiang had landed Qian Cai and Luo Sha in prison, further steeling his determination to defeat Lin Qiang.
The newly opened Longyuan central branch saw business skyrocket within its first week, but Hao Wei was not satisfied. To expand his gains even further, he personally treated his employees to meals, encouraging them to work overtime with the goal of absorbing Longyuan branch's remaining customers as well.
However, Yuan Guan Kui hit a roadblock in his efforts to recruit Lin Qiang's trusted lieutenant Zheng Shuai, earning a harsh rebuke from Hao Wei. Yuan Guan Kui advised Hao Wei to instead focus on the bank's normal operations, enhancing competitiveness through business expansion and increased lending, rather than just competing with Lin Qiang for deposits. But Hao Wei remained single-mindedly fixated on merging the Longuan branch, disregarding Yuan Guan Kui's suggestions.
Meanwhile, Lin Qiang proactively sought partnership with Huayu Bank, planning to jointly develop the Jinjun foreign exchange market. He meticulously prepared a business plan and had Mo Xi Jun introduce it to department head John. John showed keen interest and wanted the bank's top leadership to personally participate in the negotiations. Lin Qiang promised to send executives of corresponding rank to handle the discussions. Concurrently, Zhu Feng Shan led several big-shot clients to open accounts at the Longuan branch, with Lin Qiang assuring them their funds could be returned in the short term, winning over the customers' trust.
In his efforts to attract more deposits, Hao Wei recklessly raised interest rates, incurring the strong resentment of Lin Qiang and other Lianzhong Bank branches. They filed complaints to Chen Xing Yuan, forcing Qian Bo to confront the issue. Faced with the disparity in deposit returns, Qian Bo tried to shift the blame to Chairman Xing Li, but Chen Xing Yuan was not convinced, sternly demanding the head office resolve it quickly.
After careful consideration, Hao Wei realized there may be merit to Yuan Guan Kui's suggestions. He began to explore proper channels to secure loan projects and bolster his strength.
However, when he approached Xing Li with his request, it was met with rejection. Undaunted, Hao Wei shifted his target to the soon-to-retire Zhu Feng Shan. But Xing Li warned him again not to entertain any delusions, as Zhu Feng Shan would not hand the project over to him even after leaving the company.
The persistent Hao Wei then applied for a massive wealth management quota at the branch, trying to leverage Xing Li's influence to pressure Chen Xing Yuan. Although reluctant, Chen Xing Yuan still approved the request, inciting protests and discontent from the other branch managers.
Upon learning of this, Lin Qiang quickly sprang into action. With the assistance of Zheng Shuai and Mo Xi Jun, he secured a major fund client from abroad to snatch up Hao Wei's quota. While this strategy would take time to bear fruit, Lin Qiang was resolute in refusing any improper means.
In his haste for quick results, Hao Wei signed an agreement with the foreign fund client without proper due diligence, only to discover the funds would take half a year to arrive. He had no choice but to cancel the wealth management quota, drawing a joint protest from the branch managers. Chen Xing Yuan handed the protest letter to Xing Li, with Hao Wei present.
After learning the true source of the foreign funds, Hao Wei realized he had fallen into Lin Qiang's trap. Xing Li then decided to place the Longyuan central branch under direct branch management and cancel the floating deposit interest policy. Though resentful, Hao Wei could only accept the reality and confront Lin Qiang, only to be met with mockery and derision.
Seeing Hao Wei's decline, the Longyuan central branch employees began entertaining thoughts of resignation. Yuan Guan Kui was deeply dissatisfied and engaged in fierce confrontations, even coming to blows with them. During this, Chen Xing Yuan held a farewell party for the soon-to-retire Zhu Feng Shan, and used the opportunity to raise the joint venture project proposed by Lin Qiang.
While this banking battle seemed to have reached a conclusion, undercurrents continued to flow, with an uncertain future still ahead.
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