Headquarters of the State Bank of Việt Nam (SBV). The Governor has required commercial banks to be responsible for responding and handling obstacles related to access to bank loans of firms and individuals. Photo sbv.gov.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Governor of the State Bank of Việt Nam (SBV) Nguyễn Thị Hồng has ordered SBV branches and commercial banks to set up a hotline to remove obstacles related to access to bank loans for firms and individuals.

Under a dispatch released this week, the Governor has required commercial banks be responsible for responding and handling the obstacles, and reporting the results to the SBV’s branches, which will summarise and send to the SBV’s Communications Department to post on the e-portal.

The SBV branches will also have to report the results to the SBV’s Credit Department for Economic Sectors before February 28, 2023, which will summarise and report it to the Governor.

The Governor has also directed commercial banks to continue promoting effective implementation of the SBV’s bank - enterprise connection programme to actively work directly with customers to remove their difficulties in accessing bank loans in accordance with the law.

Commercial banks must enhance the transparency of credit information and publish information about applications and procedures for bank loans, as well as interest rates and service fees.

They must also proactively and promptly handle difficulties and problems in the banking system and report to local authorities, the SBV and relevant ministries and sectors on difficulties and problems beyond their competence; and make suggestions and recommendations during implementation, the dispatch notes.

The SBV has expected credit growth to increase by 14-15 per cent this year, leaving a possibility that it might adjust the orientation to suit the actual business situation and developments.

Many stock companies, however, predicted in their strategic reports that the growth would be about 13 per cent. They explained that the lending interest rate was now at a high level, affecting the borrowing capacity and making production expansion projects less feasible.

Meanwhile, credit institutions projected credit balance of the entire system to increase by just 13.7 per cent this year. — VNS