banking and finance
The Banking & Finance category covers the latest trends, regulatory updates, and market developments in the financial sector. It explores banking operations, monetary policy, interest rates, foreign exchange, and investment flows, providing insights into capital markets, digital banking, lending trends, and financial regulations. This section also examines economic stability, fintech innovations, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in financial services, helping businesses, investors, and policymakers navigate the evolving financial landscape.
Vietnam stock market jumps as foreign investors net-sell US$185 million
Vietnam’s benchmark indices saw modest gains on April 16, supported by strong liquidity across the board. Foreign investors, however, were heavy net sellers, offloading over VND 4.6 trillion (US$185 million) in shares. The bulk of the sell-off by foreign investors was in Vingroup (VIC), it’s not immediately clear why.
Stock market: VNIndex down 1.42 percent as foreign investors sell US$11 million in shares
Vietnam’s stock market fell sharply on April 16, with all major indices closing lower and foreign investors turning net sellers. The VNIndex shed 1.42 percent to close at 1,210.30, according to data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Banking: Vietnam’s compulsory bank transfers only effective with real capital, experts warn
The compulsory transfer of four underperforming Vietnamese banks to stronger commercial lenders has been met with some skepticism at an April 11 workshop on bank restructuring in Hanoi. This comes in the context of several of the four underperforming banks being rebranded and relaunched as digital banks, VN Express is reporting.
Vietnam credit growth hits 3.93 percent in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s banking system added nearly VND614 trillion (US$23.8 billion) in new credit during the first quarter of 2025, with total credit outstanding reaching VND16,230 trillion (US$629 billion), according to State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Governor Nguyen Thi Hong. The quarterly growth rate of 3.93 percent outpaced the same period last year by more than double, The Investor is reporting.
Vietnam’s insurance premium revenue up 5.6 percent year-on-year in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s insurance market posted solid performance in the first quarter of 2025, with notable gains in non-life premiums, reinvested capital, and total assets, despite a decline in benefit payouts, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam dong weakens 0.06 percent as central bank slows repo injections
This Vietnamese Dong Tracker records the latest news and developments with respect to the local currency. It includes the current prices as well as State Bank of Vietnam monetary policy and open market operations including treasury bill issuances and interbank lending.
Vietnam to raise foreign ownership cap to 49% at some banks
Foreign investors will be allowed to own up to 49 percent of the charter capital in Vietnamese commercial banks involved in mandatory transfers, starting from May 19, 2025, under Decree No. 69/2025/ND-CP recently issued by the government. The change applies to banks like MB, HDBank, and VPBank, which are participating in state-mandated acquisition and restructuring of weaker banks, VietnamBiz has reported.
Financial, banking, and insurance sector in Vietnam records US$3.96 million in January FDI
In January, Vietnam’s financial, banking, and insurance sector registered a total of US$3.96 million in new foreign direct investment (FDI), according to data from Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment. This marks an increase of US$2.4 million compared to December, which recorded US$1.5 million in new registered capital.
Vietnam’s financial, banking, and insurance sector sees December FDI fall
In 2024, the sector attracted a total of 6 new projects with US$123.59 million in newly registered capital…
Building An International Financial Centre in Vietnam: Unpacked
At the end of December, the Government of Vietnam passed Resolution No 259/NQ-CP approving a plan to create regional and international financial centres in Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. Whereas the plan puts the emphasis on location this article looks at the regulatory issues holding this project back.
Vietnam’s corporate bond market sees December jump, over US$2.3 billion in issuances
Looking ahead to 2025, VND 216,670 billion (US$8.67 billion) worth of corporate bonds will reach maturity, with real estate bonds making up the largest portion, at VND 120,640 billion (US$4.83 billion), or 55.6% of the total.
Vietnam central banks raises credit growth limit/target for 2025 to 16 percent
Of note, whereas Vietnam in the first instance introduced credit growth limits to stymie out of control inflation, it has since reorientated credit growth policy to facilitate economic growth. This is seeing private debt rise rapidly along with bad debts as banks push lending on to consumers rather than due to growing demand.
Vietnam sees significant decline in new financial, banking, and insurance FDI in November
Year-to-date (YTD), the sector has attracted a total of 6 new projects with US$122.1 million in newly registered capital, reflecting a decrease in investment activity compared to previous months.
Vietnam bond market continues upward momentum in November
Year-to-date, 362 private placements have been made, raising VND 342,716 billion (or US$13.71 billion), alongside 21 public offerings worth VND 32,114 billion (or US$1.28 billion)…
State Bank of Vietnam increases credit limits for some of banks to meet 15 percent target
This is an interesting decision with broad uncertainty around what might happen with respect to the US dollar when Trump assumes the presidency in January, though most economists are expecting a stronger dollar. Bad debts among Vietnam’s banks have also been rising and the country’s US dollar reserves have fallen below the IMF recommended three months worth of imports.
Bank at centre of Vietnam fraud case cuts withdrawal limits
Saigon Commercial Bank, which was put under ‘special administration’ by the State Bank of Vietnam in October of 2022, has announced it will be limiting withdrawals to VND 10 million or about US$393 a day. This is down from VND 100 million or US$3,930 a day…
Vietnam FDI in finance, banking, and insurance doubles in capital
Year-to-date, the sector has attracted six projects with a cumulative registered capital of US$121.42 million. The rise in capital highlights increased interest in Vietnam’s financial services landscape, as international investors recognise the potential for expansion in banking, insurance, and financial services…
Vietnam bank deposits reach new high in August
Notably, withdrawals of said deposits could be problematic in that outstanding loans in Vietnam, as of the end of October, exceeded the volume of bank deposits by roughly 3.7 percent. This was reportedly putting liquidity pressure on banks which has become an ongoing theme in Vietnam’s banking industry this year. The issue, however, looks to be on the credit growth end rather than with respect to deposits…
Vietnam bond activity cools in October as demand for capital subsides
Over the year-to-date, 316 private placements have been completed, totalling VND 304,000 billion or US$12.16 billion, and 15 public offerings reached VND 28,854 billion or US$1.15 billion…
Australia’s Commonwealth Bank off-loads another 10 percent of Vietnam’s VIB
This comes after it was announced back in June that the Australian bank would be divesting from the company which VIB’s board of directors reportedly only learned about after the State Bank of Vietnam approved the move. The Commonwealth Bank held a 20 percent stake in the bank at the time.
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This is an interview with Chris Walker, a Vietnam Sourcing Expert with Vietnam Factory Tours how rising oil prices and the Middle East crisis are
This is an interview with John Gardner, CEO and Founding Partner, at Optimum Hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers fuel price impacts on:
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It