NAB

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.

HPG is set to receive the largest net inflow of ~VND 284B from two major foreign ETFs (Xtrackers Vietnam Swap UCITS ETF and VanEck Vietnam ETF) during their June 2026 rebalancing, while SSI faces the largest outflow of ~VND 250B. The rebalancing, with combined fund assets of nearly $1.2B, will also see BSR, EIB, and NAB gain and VIX, VCI, and DGC lose weight.

BIDV and Sacombank each reported non-performing loans exceeding VND 40,000 billion in Q1 2026, contributing to an 11% sector-wide NPL surge to VND 292,160 billion. The broad-based deterioration in asset quality raises provisioning costs and pressure on net interest margins for most listed banks, with only three lenders showing improvement.

Vietcombank (VCB) and six other domestic banks have approved plans to establish wholly-owned subsidiaries at the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center, while most foreign banks are blocked by a regulation requiring a parent credit rating of AA or above, which only JPMorgan meets. The rule, part of Decree 329, is being challenged by regulators who recommend lowering the threshold to attract international banks.

Seven Vietnamese banks (Vietcombank, HDBank, SHB, MB, TPBank, LPBank, Nam A Bank) have approved the establishment of wholly-owned subsidiary banks at the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center (VIFC-HCMC). However, major foreign banks from the US, China, and Japan are hindered by a regulation requiring parent banks to have an AA credit rating or higher, which only JPMorgan currently meets. This regulatory bottleneck may limit the center's international diversity unless adjusted.

NAB partners with Saigon Co.op to create an integrated ecosystem linking finance, retail, commerce, services, and logistics. The deal aims to boost digital payment adoption and cross-sell banking products to Co.op's extensive customer base, while providing supply chain financing to Co.op's vendors. This strategic move aligns with NAB's digital banking push and could expand its retail deposit and lending footprint.

The State Bank of Vietnam proposes replacing the LDR ratio with CDR while keeping the 85% cap, causing 13 of 18 major banks (including BID, CTG, VCB, MBB, VPB) to potentially exceed the limit. VPBank faces the highest CDR at 112%, while HDBank remains safest at 78%. Banks may need to adjust funding structures or face profitability pressure.

NAB signs agreement with IFC to launch a Supply Chain Finance (SCF) technical assistance project, marking a shift from collateral-based lending to cash-flow-based financing. The project, co-funded by SECO, aims to enhance NAB's competitiveness and support SME clients through a five-pillar strategy.

BIDV (BID) saw customer deposits fall by VND 82,031 billion in Q1 2026, the largest absolute decline among 12 listed banks reporting outflows. The sector-wide deposit contraction, concentrated among large private banks, contrasts with strong growth at HDBank and VPBank, highlighting divergent funding dynamics.

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.

HDB, SHB, VCB, MBB, TPB, LPB, NAB, HSC, and DNSE have approved plans to set up wholly-owned subsidiaries at the Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC). The move allows them to tap international capital, benefit from special forex and tax policies, and operate under global standards. This strategic shift could reshape Vietnam's financial landscape.

KBSV Securities forecasts interest rates peaked in early Q2 2026 and will cool more clearly in H2 2026, with an average 0.5-1% annual reduction, supported by government liquidity measures and easing geopolitical tensions. This outlook suggests easing funding cost pressures for banks like NAB and SSB later in the year, though near-term liquidity constraints from high credit growth and LDR ratios persist.

VN-Index fell 0.46% on April 22, 2026, with matched order liquidity dropping 34% to VND 7,938 billion, the lowest in 11 sessions, as investors ignored the extended Middle East ceasefire. The broad-based decline, led by VIC, VHM, and HPG, signals extreme caution and a wait-and-see stance among market participants.

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%.