The 2014 ASEAN Banker Forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City, on December 3, highlighting the prominent role of modern technologies in the development of retail banks.

At the forum, regional leading experts in the field discussed opportunities and challenges for retail banks in Vietnam between now and 2020. Experts also spoke of main risks in operation of retail banks at developing countries.

Can Van Luc, a financial specialist from the Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), said more and more Vietnamese banks have prioritised improving their services and risk management system based on advanced technologies. Notably, the online banking services for individuals are promoted, he added.

Developing e-payment service is one of strategic solutions of retail banks, Luc stressed.

According to the participating experts, the e-payment service will be developed strongly in Vietnam between 2015 and 2020 due to an increasing trend of collaboration among banks, telecommunications companies, shopping centres, and supermarkets. Besides, the social networks have become a potential source for commercial banks to find and serve its target customers.

Nguyen Hoang Long, Vice Director of Smartlink Card JSC, said that 32 Vietnamese banks are currently applying mobile banking service with more than 3 million monthly users.

According to Ernst & Young’s Global Consumer Banking Survey 2014, 75 percent of 90-million-Vietnamese-population have no access to banking services, reflecting a huge opportunities for retail banks in Vietnam.

The forum was co-organised by the Vietnam Bank Association and International Data Group IDG Vietnam.-VNA