Banks struggle to hit lending goal

Significant challenges remain for the banking industry to reach the annual credit growth target this year, despite certain improvement in lending situation, State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) officials have said.
Significant challenges remain for the banking industry to reach theannual credit growth target this year, despite certain improvement inlending situation, State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) officials have said.

SBV Governor Nguyen Van Binh has reported to the National Assemblythat lending across the nation grew 7.89 percent in the first 10 months,while the target for 2013 was 11-12 percent.

Thedirector of the central bank's Credit Department, Nguyen Viet Manh, saidthat total outstanding loans reaching over 3,290 trillion VND (156.67billion USD) at the end of August was considerable progress comparedwith about 3,092 trillion VND (147.24 billion USD) recorded at the endof last year.

"We have regulated money incirculation at reasonable levels, while having capital reserves preparedfor lending expansion by year-end without affecting money supplyplans," said Binh, adding that agricultural loans were increasingnotably with a variety of preferential packages offered in this area.

The central bank estimated lending in agriculture andrural areas to have grown 15 percent this year to September, doublingthe general credit growth in the economy for the period.

However, export lending expanded slowly at 3.61 percent in the firsthalf, compared with 17.1 percent reached at the end of last year.

Manh said lenders now needed to focus finances more on prioritisedsectors and continue to review customers' capacity and economic areas'recovering ability to provide them with suitable support.

They should hasten implementation of the Government's 30 trillion VND(1.43 billion USD) property bailout, while the central bank activelyconsidered allowing banks to raise credit quotas following theirproposals.

SBV Monetary Policy Department directorNguyen Thi Hong said factors long hindering credit growth stillremained, including lenders' caution in the face of high bad debts, weakdemand and the low capacity of businesses accessing markets."Shortcomings have been accumulated for years and the economy is hittingsnags," she said.-VNA

See more

Real estate bonds issued from June-December are expected to be worth about 79.77 trillion VND. (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Real estate bond market rebounds in May

May also witnessed a significant volume of early redemptions. Businesses repurchased bonds worth about 15.86 trillion VND before maturity - an increase of 6.7 % compared to the same period in 2024.

Domestic fuel prices adjusted upward from 3pm on June 12. (Photo: VNA)

Fuel prices continue upward trend on June 12

The price of E5 RON92 petrol is now capped at 19,462 VND (0.75 USD) per litre, up 199 VND from the previous adjustment, while RON95-III costs no more than 19,967 VND per litre, up 269 VND.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (R) meets with Senator Roger Marshall. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to further open market for US exports: Minister

Regarding the ongoing negotiations on a Reciprocal Trade Agreement between the two countries, he emphasised that Vietnam remains consistent in its approach to the talks with the US, aiming for a bilateral agreement based on respect for sovereignty, independence, political system, harmonisation and balance of interests, as well as in line with international commitments and the development level of each country.

Vietnam’s auto sales near 30,000 units in May (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s auto sales near 30,000 units in May

Of the vehicles sold, there were 20,014 passenger cars, 8,983 commercial units, and 213 special-purpose vehicles. While passenger car sales dipped 3.6% from the previous month, commercial vehicles surged 4% and specialised ones climbed 6%.

PM Pham Minh Chinh visits the French National Railway Company (SNCF) in Paris on June 11. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges France to share expertise in railway development

Visiting the SNCF, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage learnt about the company's models, approaches, and experiences in investing in, constructing, and operating railway projects in many countries, particularly high-speed rail systems.