Several enterprises with healthy and transparent finances and effective business plans have been given loans at a rate of only 6.5-7 percent per year, according to the State Bank of Vietnam.

In its latest report on the banking sector, the central bank said that lending rates for loans in VND were steady last week and credit institutions strictly complied with regulations on the maximum VND short-term lending rates for priority sectors.

The report said that State-owned commercial banks also offered lending rates at 7-9 percent per year for short-term loans in VND for priority sectors, including agricultural and rural development, exporters, support industries, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and high-tech enterprises; 9-10.5 percent for short-term loans for other production and business; and 11.5- 12.8 percent for medium and long term loans.

For the group of joint-stock commercial banks, the lending rates were 8-9 percent per year for short-term VND loans for priority sectors; 9.5-11.5 percent for short-term loans for other production and business; and 12-13 percent for medium and long term loans.

The US dollar lending rates were commonly 4-7 percent per year, of which the lending rates set by State-owned commercial banks were 4-5 percent yearly for short term, and 6-7 percent for medium and long term loans. Joint stock commercial banks offered rates at 5- 6 percent yearly for short term and 6.5-7 percent for medium and long term credit.

The central bank also reported that VND mobilising rates last week were stable compared to the previous week. The rates offered by State-owned commercial banks were commonly 1 to 1.2 percent per year for demand deposits; 5-6.5 percent per year for terms below six months; 6.5- 7 percent for six months to below 12 month terms; and 7.5-8 percent for 12 month and 12 month-plus terms.

The dong mobilising rates quoted by joint stock commercial banks were commonly 1.2 percent per year for demand deposits, 6.5 - 7 percent for one to below six month terms, 7-8 percent for six to below 12 month terms; and 8-9 percent for 12 and 12 month plus terms.

The US dollar mobilising rates were also stable at 1.25 percent per year for individuals and 0.25 percent for economic institutions.-VNA