KLB

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) exempts 25 commercial banks from including social housing, industrial park, and export processing zone loans in real estate credit growth limits from January 1, 2026. This regulatory change supports targeted lending while maintaining overall credit controls, benefiting banks like ACB, BID, and CTG with expanded capacity for priority sectors.

ITD was added to HOSE's margin-cut list after receiving a tax penalty for fiscal years 2022-2025, totaling VND 630.6 million. The list now includes 68 stocks, many under warning, control, or with negative profits, restricting leverage for investors.

HOSE has removed margin eligibility for 67 stocks effective May 2026, citing warning/control status, negative earnings, or listing under six months. The list includes AAN (listed May 22), ABS, HVN, and DLG, restricting leverage for retail investors and potentially reducing trading liquidity in these names.

EIB, KLB, STB, OCB, VIB, and SHB announced senior leadership changes in late May 2026, including resignations, appointments, and role adjustments. The moves reflect strategic realignments and succession planning amid intensifying competition in Vietnam's banking sector.

KLB appoints a new deputy general director as part of its digital transformation push, while STB sees a resignation after only six months in the role and OCB adds a foreign executive. These moves signal ongoing boardroom reshuffles across Vietnam's banking sector.

Vingroup stocks (VIC, VHM, VRE) reversed sharply from intraday highs to close lower, dragging the VN-Index down 20 points to 1,895. The broad sell-off hit real estate, banking, and oil & gas sectors, while foreign investors extended their net selling streak to 13 consecutive sessions. The reversal came despite strong morning gains that pushed the index to a new record of 1,927.

Techcombank (TCB) leads Vietnamese banks in 2026 with a 67% total dividend (7% cash, 60% stock), the highest in the sector. Other major banks including VPBank (31%), HDBank (30%), LPBank (30% all cash), MB (25%), and ACB (20%) also announced elevated payouts, signaling strong capital positions and shareholder return focus.

KienlongBank (KLB) shareholders approved a 29.5% dividend for 2026 and a charter capital increase to over VND 7,500B at the annual general meeting on April 23. The bank targets 2026 pre-tax profit of VND 2,600B (+12% YoY) after a record 2025. The dividend policy signals management's commitment to shareholder returns while funding growth.

Vietcombank (VCB), BIDV (BID), and VietinBank (CTG) surged on heavy domestic buying, with banking stocks accounting for a record 43.5% of HoSE's morning trading value. Foreign investors were net sellers in the sector, highlighting a divergence between local and foreign sentiment.

VPBank (VPB) reduced deposit interest rates by 0.3%-0.5% for 6-36 month terms online, following a State Bank of Vietnam directive that prompted 30 domestic commercial banks to cut rates by 0.05% to 1% annually. This coordinated easing aims to lower funding costs and support credit growth, with state-owned BIDV implementing the deepest cuts of 0.8%-0.9%.

KienlongBank (KLB) reported a record VND 2,323 billion pre-tax profit for 2025, with ROE surging to 22.11% and a 60% dividend payout, alongside a 131% stock price increase for the year. The bank attributes this to its 'Digital First' transformation and targets a 2026 pre-tax profit near VND 3,000 billion, supported by a planned capital increase to over VND 7,500 billion.

Vingroup stocks (VIC, VRE, VHM, VPL) and steel names (HSG, TLH, NKG, VGS) attracted strong capital flows in the week of April 13-17, with VIC trading volume doubling. Meanwhile, financial and oil & gas stocks experienced significant outflows, reflecting sector rotation.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) net withdrew VND 71,563 billion from the banking system via open market operations (OMO) in the week of April 13-17, 2026, while 30 commercial banks including VPBank (VPB) cut deposit rates by 0.1-0.5 percentage points. This coordinated action, following an SBV meeting, signals a deliberate easing of funding costs and system liquidity, potentially supporting bank net interest margins as pressure from the USD/VND exchange rate subsides.