State Bank of Vietnam sets 2026 expectations for VietinBank on credit quality, risk controls and digital transformation

A Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam addressed VietinBank’s conference reviewing 2025 performance and setting 2026 priorities, calling for the bank to maintain its systemically important role while keeping credit growth aligned with tighter quality controls. Key directions included prioritising funding for production and business, national key projects and new growth drivers, avoiding any lowering of credit standards, keeping the non-performing loan ratio low, and managing costs and funding to create room for further lending-rate reductions. The guidance also emphasised strengthening inspection, internal control, internal audit and enterprise-wide risk management, with a greater role for VietinBank’s internal audit, control and compliance supervision functions to detect and address shortcomings and violations. Digital transformation was framed as substantive and linked to productivity and data-driven business models, alongside pushing adoption of international standards and continuing organisational streamlining and talent development. VietinBank reported end-2025 indicators including total assets up about 18% year on year, credit outstanding up about 16%, priority-sector lending above 30% of the loan book, mobilised capital up 12%, and a 1.0% bad-debt ratio, alongside a charter capital increase to nearly VND 77.7 trillion and ongoing work to meet capital and buffer requirements under Circular 41 and Circular 13.