Enterprises hope to access unsecured loans
On the afternoon of March 21, in Hai Phong, the State Bank held a conference to promote bank credit, contributing to promoting economic growth in Region 6 (including branches of the State Bank of Vietnam Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Quang Ninh and Thai Binh).
At the conference, Mr. Le Van Hung - Chairman of the Hai Duong Provincial Business Association - shared the reality of difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises in accessing unsecured loans. Despite transparent and stable operations, many businesses are still rejected for lack of guaranteed assets.
"Once I was offered a loan by 10 banks with very attractive interest rates. However, when service fees are added, the actual cost is significantly higher. Enterprises only choose truly profitable options, not just look at listed interest rates, said Mr. Hung.
He proposed that banks need to have their own policies to support small businesses, expand the ability to provide unsecured loans and issue regulations to control and publicize fees associated with loans so that businesses can compare and transparently assess total costs.
Enterprises need to be evaluated according to economic cycles
According to Mr. Hung, the current business credit rating is still timely. During difficult economic times, or after natural disasters like Typhoon Yagi, businesses may have low credit ratings, leading to limited access to capital at the right time when support is needed.
I recommend that banks need to have a longer-term view, evaluating businesses according to economic cycles instead of relying only on short-term data. The time of difficulty is when businesses need capital to recover, Mr. Hung emphasized.
Proposal to promote green credit for green businesses
Mr. Le Quang Thang - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viet Long Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company (Quang Ninh) - said that businesses operating in the green production sector are having difficulty accessing preferential capital from international organizations and green credit funds due to complex procedures and strict lending conditions.
Mr. Thang proposed that the State Bank and commercial banks continue to improve credit and interest rate policies to be more suitable for green enterprises; speed up the progress of document approval and reduce procedure barriers, and reserve more limits for this group of enterprises.
We expect commercial banks to participate more strongly, allocating more capital to green manufacturing enterprises - units that contribute to environmental cleanlining and promote green growth, Mr. Thang shared.
What does the State Bank say?
Ms. Nguyen Linh Phuong - Deputy Director of the monetary policy department (MONP) - said that the current lending interest rate is agreed upon by the bank and customers, within the legal framework. From 2024, the SBV will keep the operating interest rate unchanged to create conditions for businesses to access capital at reasonable costs.
By March 10, 2025, lending interest rates will continue to decrease. The average interest rate for new loans is 6.5%, down 0.4% compared to the end of 2024. The SBV continues to direct banks to reduce costs and interest rates to support economic growth.
SBV Deputy Governor Pham Thanh Ha said that as of March 12, 2025, credit in the whole economy has increased by 1.24% compared to the end of 2024. He requested credit institutions to continue to promote the application of technology, simplify procedures, and share profits to support businesses in accessing capital.
At the same time, the SBV orients capital flows into production and business sectors, priority sectors and growth drivers, and controls credit in areas with potential risks. Banks need to focus on investing in key projects and works and areas with strengths according to Resolution 30-NQ/TW.
Green credit is of special interest
At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bac - Deputy Director of the Department of Credit for Economic Sectors (DEC) - emphasized: "Green credit is attracting the world's attention, Vietnam is also strongly committed to climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development. This is a major policy of the Party and State and has been institutionalized into a specific policy".
He said that many banks have allocated significant capital to renewable energy projects. The SBV also issued Circular 17, which requires careful consideration of environmental risk factors when granting credit.
In the future, the SBV will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to complete the green credit classification list, as a basis for guiding commercial banks to implement it in the right direction, Mr. Bac informed.
He also recommended increasing access to preferential capital from international financial institutions for green investment projects. Because this is a sector that often has high costs, long payback times and high risks, many commercial banks are still hesitant to arrange capital.
