HDBank will continue to support individuals and enterprises affected by the Covid-19 pandemic while continuing to maintain business operations, and expand internationally after the pandemic ends, its standing vice chairwoman has said.

Speaking at the eighth patriotic emulation congress of the banking sector for the 2020-25 period in Hanoi last week, billionaire Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo said since early 2020 the bank has been implementing a State Bank of Việt Nam circular on assisting customers in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic while maintaining good credit growth with safe asset quality and low non-performing loans.

Billionaire Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo, vice chairwoman of HDBank, speaks at the 8th patriotic emulation congress of the banking sector for the 2020-25 period last week in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of HDBank

It has launched a programme called ‘Green bank to fight against Covid-19 pandemic’ to protect customers and the community and continue to maintain business operations, she said.

The bank has been assigned a B1 (stable long-term credit) rating by Moody’s amid the pandemic, she said.

“Under the Government’s direction, the banking industry has made significant contributions to ensuring macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, tackling obstacles to production and business, and promoting economic growth.”

The State Bank of Việt Nam plays a major role in managing monetary policy, credit policy, stabilising the banking system, handling non-performing loans, improving the productivity of financial resources, promoting the adoption of Basel II standards for capital safety for credit institutions, and introducing hi-tech payment methods.

Billionaire Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo (left), vice chairwoman of HDBank, and Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân (right), chairwoman of the National Assembly, at the 8th patriotic emulation congress of the banking sector for the 2020-25 period last week in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of HDBank

HDBank has been praised for its policies on social welfare, technology investment and development, environmental protection, and building a green economic community.

Over the past five years the lender, with nearly 200 Communist Party members, 9,500 Youth Union members and 13,500 trade union members, has always actively participated in the State Bank of Việt Nam’s programmes, complied with credit risk management measures and focused on operational risk management to ensure transparency and sustainable development.

It has implemented the State Bank’s Việt Nam Green and Sustainable Economy Strategy, providing loans worth hundreds of millions of dollars for a number of renewable energy projects and tens of trillions of đồng for hi-tech agriculture.

Over the past decade the bank has also implemented a number of CSR activities to ensure “no one is left behind.”

The activities, which target seniors, war invalids and martyrs, poor people, and children, provide scholarships to students and health insurance, fund surgeries for poor people in many places, especially in mountainous and remote areas.

Participants at the 8th patriotic emulation congress of the banking sector for the 2020-25 period last week in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of HDBank

HDBank has recently become a partner of the United Nations and other related organisations. The bank and its members have committed to promoting a fair and civilised society and a modern and sustainable business environment, and protecting the rights of children and women and ensuring gender equality, and internationally promoting the image of Việt Nam and Vietnamese.

A self-made billionaire, Thảo, who has years of experience in economic activities in Vietnam and abroad, plays a significant role in innovation for HDBank’s development.

The last five years have been a “breakthrough” period for the bank, which saw significant accomplishments related to growth.

Thảo said: “We strongly believe that the economy is recovering from the pandemic. Vietnam is well prepared to restore economic growth to celebrate the XIII National Congress of the Party.”