[The banking sector bucked the trend and strengthened, and ICBC rose more than 1.5% to hit a record high] On October 19th, the banking sector bucked the trend and strengthened, with ICBC rising more than 1.5% and hitting a record high. The total market value of A+H shares was nearly 2.9 trillion. Bank of Suzhou, Bank of Ningbo, Bank of Hangzhou, Bank of Chongqing, Bank of Wuxi, and Agricultural Bank of China rose by more than 2%. On the news, data shows that so far, 21 listed banks have disclosed their mid-term dividend plans for 2026, with a total planned dividend amount of more than 260 billion yuan. In terms of the types of participating banks, large state-owned banks and joint-stock banks are the main force in dividend distribution, while small and medium-sized banks such as listed city commercial banks and rural commercial banks are also actively promoting mid-term dividend distribution.