Access to this huge amount of customer data is a golden opportunity for banks to promote digital services and products, especially online lending. — Photo baodautu.vn Through a series of newly-issued regulations and access to the national population database, banks are planning to expand their online money-lending services. Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) Pham Tien Dung said accessing the national population database will help banks to check and authenticate new customer information more easily. Commercial banks will promote lending services on their electronic platforms based on this database. The draft amending the Law on Credit Institutions has many regulations specifying banking services via electronic devices. Besides that, several provisions supplemented by Civil Law and the Law on Electronic Transactions are necessary to complete the legal framework for online lending. Online lending, mostly small loans, has been implemented by many banks for a … [Read more...] about Banks to promote online lending through national population database access
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The future of tourism in Vietnam new visa policies and beyond
The fifth plenary session of the 15th National Assembly has discussed and approved a number of important draft bills, including three new amendments to regulations that have significant impacts on the tourism industry in Vietnam. These policies are expected to boost the recovery and development of the tourism sector. Martin Koerner - Chairman EuroCham Vietnam’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector Committee The first law is to extend the visa exemption duration from the current 15 days to 45 days for citizens of countries that currently can travel to Vietnam visa exempt, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. This law aims to attract more tourists from these key markets and encourage them to stay longer and spend more here. The second law is to expand the list of countries eligible for e-visa from 46 to 80, including markets such as India, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. The e-visa allows visitors to apply … [Read more...] about The future of tourism in Vietnam new visa policies and beyond
IMF highlights rising debt risks for Asian companies
Asia’s increased borrowing in recent decades has augmented the region’s exposure to rising interest rates and heightened market volatility, said the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to the IMF’s latest report on May 25, over 18 per cent of Vietnamese enterprises were found to have an interest coverage ratio (ICR) below one, indicating a high risk of default as of June 2022. Additionally, 18.32 per cent of companies had an ICR between 1-4, making them vulnerable to increased borrowing costs, while 63.36 per cent had an ICR of four, signalling a good debt repayment capacity. The report attributes the heightened risks to the rising cost of borrowing, as central banks tighten monetary policies and increase interest rates to combat inflation. Despite maintaining growth rates, companies face significant pressure due to higher borrowing costs, reducing their ability to repay debts. As of mid-2022, 17 per cent of Asia’s corporate debt was held by firms with interest … [Read more...] about IMF highlights rising debt risks for Asian companies
Vietcombank permitted to raise capital to $2.3 billion
Transactions at Vietcombank. — Photo courtesy of the bank The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) just allowed Vietcombank to raise its charter capital from VND47 trillion (US$2 billion) to VND55 trillion ($2.3 billion) by issuing shares to pay dividends from the remaining profits of 2019 and 2020. Previously, the bank’s 2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders approved the issuance of 856.5 million dividend stocks at a rate of 18.1 per cent. Once the issuance is completed, its charter capital will increase by nearly VND8.6 trillion to more than VND55.89 trillion, thereby surpassing Vietinbank and BIDV to become the second largest bank, after VPbank. Vietcombank said that the mobilised capital will be spent on expanding the business scale to meet the economy’s requirements, and investing in improving management and operation plans. The bank also plans to issue a maximum of nearly 2.8 billion shares to pay dividends from the remaining profit of 2021 and the remaining profit … [Read more...] about Vietcombank permitted to raise capital to $2.3 billion
Shares to keep uptrend this week
A transaction at Military Bank (MBB). MBB rose 6.8 per cent last week. — Photo MBB Shares are predicted to continue their short-term uptrend thanks to the return of cash flow this week. The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) had risen 2.5 per cent last week. An average of 917.3 million shares were traded on the southern exchange during each session last week, worth 15.6 trillion (US$664.3 million). With the positive movement of banking and large-cap groups, the market surpassed 1,080 points and closed with a good gain in the last session of last week. Liquidity also continued to increase, showing that investors' trading sentiment was more positive although profit-taking still presented in some sectors at the end of the session, said Viet Dragon Securities Co (VDSC). “With this development, investors can expect the cash flow to continue to support and help the market gradually move to higher price ranges in the near future.” “It is expected that … [Read more...] about Shares to keep uptrend this week
Sacombank wins award for treasury, working capital excellence
Le Quang Vinh, deputy director of Sacombank’s capital resources and foreign exchange division, receives The Asset Triple A Treasurise award in the “Best in Treasury and Working Capital (SMEs)” category for Viet Nam. — Photo courtesy of the bank Sacombank has won the 2023 The Asset Triple A Treasurise award given by Hong Kong magazine The Asset in the “Best in Treasury and Working Capital (SMEs)” category for Viet Nam. It is for a second year in a row that Sacombank is winning this award by meeting all criteria in terms of business performance, customer support solutions and customer reviews. Sacombank’s strengths include abundant foreign currency liquidity, multi-currency payment capability along with an extensive transaction network in Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia and a modern, safe and secure technology platform. It thus meets all customers’ trading needs in spot, forward, swap, and options transactions in a timely manner and at competitive rates and with flexibility and … [Read more...] about Sacombank wins award for treasury, working capital excellence
Government support helps aquaculture industry weather difficulties
Illustrative image (Photo: laodong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - Although the aquaculture industry have been facing many challenges, it continues to receive support from the Government, Director in charge of communications of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers ( VASEP ) Le Hang told Lao dong newspaper. According to Hang, the Prime Minister has demanded the State Bank of Vietnam effectively manage credit operations to ensure the suitable provision of credit capital, and continue to reduce interest rates to support businesses, especially those in aquatic export . The bank has been required to implement supportive and preferential policies, including proposing a credit package worth 10,000 billion VND (over 425.4 million USD) to support businesses operating in forestry and aquatic production and processing industries. Credit programmes should be prioritised for the fisheries sector, towards creating favourable conditions for businesses involved in the … [Read more...] about Government support helps aquaculture industry weather difficulties
Forbes Vietnam reveals top 50 listed companies in 2023
Forbes Vietnam on June 5 unveiled the top 50 listed companies in 2023, the 11th year it has released this list in the country. The rankings are based on last year’s audited consolidated financial reports of the companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HSX) and the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX). Forbes Vietnam said total after-tax profit of the 50 firms stands at over 228 trillion VND (9.7 billion USD) while their combined revenue 1.49 quadrillion VND, respectively rising 18% and 24.9% from the 2022 list. The Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) remains the biggest revenue earner with more than 304 trillion VND. Meanwhile, the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) recorded the most after-tax profit, almost 29.9 trillion VND. The top 50 listed companies are divided into sectors, and most are leading firms or those already gaining a foothold in their sectors. The rankings are dominated by businesses in the financial (banking, … [Read more...] about Forbes Vietnam reveals top 50 listed companies in 2023
Mobile Money has nearly 4 million users
There are 9,953 Mobile Money service points nationwide. — Photo vnexpress.net Viet Nam had more than 3.9 million people using Mobile Money service by the beginning of last month, an increase of 6.3 per cent compared to March and three times higher compared to the same period last year. Statistics of the Viet Nam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) under the Ministry of Information and Communications show that the number of Mobile Money users in rural, mountainous, and remote areas reached more than 2.7 million customers, accounting for 69 per cent of service users. Currently, there are 9,953 Mobile Money service points nationwide, an increase of 12 per cent compared to March. The number of units accepting payment via Mobile Money reached 15,326 points, up 0.2 per cent. The total number of transactions including deposit, withdrawal, money transfer, and payment by Mobile Money is more than 26.1 million transactions, with a total transaction value of more than VND1.7 trillion … [Read more...] about Mobile Money has nearly 4 million users