Empowering women is an important lever to promote gender equality and build a inclusive and comprehensive economy. The banking system is an important link in this process as it plays the role of both an employer and employer, as well as providing capital and financial services. With a sustainable vision of putting people and the community first, Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank, HOSE: SSB) pioneers in signing and implementing a commitment to gender equality, focusing on giving equal rights and opportunities to female employees, promoting financial inclusion for individual customers and female businesses.
equal working environment, empowering women
SeABank believes that diversity and equality in human resources are considered an important foundation to promote creativity and innovation. The bank implements equality in all aspects of human resource activities, from recruitment, development roadmap to remuneration policy.
Accordingly, the non-discriminatory recruitment policy is implemented throughout the line, ensuring no discrimination or discrimination against any other factor other than professional capacity. The system of human resource policies, bonuses and work performance assessment promotes transparency, developed based on achievements and capacity with the consultation of Mercer - Talentnet, ensuring opportunities for recognition and fair career development.
At the same time, the Bank focuses on maximizing capacity and encouraging women to participate in management positions. By the end of 2024, SeABank has achieved a gender balance ratio at all levels of management, with 48% of female managers in the entire line; of which 51% of the highest-level managers (level 1) or higher are female. At the leadership level, SeABank's Board of Directors currently has 50% female members, ensuring a multidimensional thinking system and effective governance.
Understanding the disadvantages of female workers in the office environment, SeABank has established a flexible and balanced working environment with many support policies such as: marriage leave, maternity leave for male and female employees; policies to support female employees during maternity (reducing office hours, equipping breastfeeding rooms, breastfeeding wardbrokers, etc.); welfare policies for employees with young children, support programs/gavage gifts on special occasions for employees' children...
In addition, SeABank focuses on building an open, respectful and cohesive corporate culture. The opinions of employees are listened to through periodic surveys, interactions on internal communication channels, and a transparent internal complaint/admission mechanism. Internal bonding programs and regularly organized volunteer activities also contribute to strengthening solidarity across the system, creating a foundation for a united, respectful and equal collective.
Accompanying female customers, developing an inclusive economy
In order to build an equal business environment, promote financial inclusion and develop an inclusive economy, SeABank has expanded cooperation, mobilized international capital with a total value of nearly VND 28,993 billion (equivalent to 1.1 billion USD) from IFC, DFC, AIIB, Nor fund, FMO, Proparco and other international financial funds. Thanks to that, SeABank strengthens its financial and technical capacity, international experience to diversify, providing specialized "tailored" products for female customers.
In October 2020, the SeAMobile digital banking application launched a personalization feature with an interface exclusively for women. In addition, SeABank has launched a credit card line for SeALady Cashback women, refunds up to 2% of transaction value, especially high on customer's birthdays, Women's International 8.3, Vietnamese Women 20.10... Customers also enjoy many incentives on insurance, health care and beauty when owning a SeALady card. In particular, for each transaction from 1 million VND via card, SeABank will contribute 2,000 VND to the "Bright Tomorrow" Cancer Patient Support Fund.
In order to improve economic empowerment for women, SeABank cooperates with the Vietnam Women's Union to implement the Startup Women's Project for the period 2018 - 2025. In particular, SeAWomen non-permanent consumer loans (TSBD) are typical products with a maximum limit of 100 million VND and a term of up to 48 months, free early repayment and streamlining procedures/ dossiers. By the end of 2024, SeAWomen has attracted more than 21,000 customers, with total outstanding loans reaching VND 1,087 billion, up 57% over the same period.
At the same time, the Bank has deployed many specialized products to support female-owned enterprises in accessing large and flexible capital sources such as: unsecured interest rates limited to VND 5 billion; unsecured Visa Corporate business credit cards limited to VND 200 million; the credit granting ratio/TSDB value (LTV) is up to 100% for deposits and 95% for real estate... Along with that is a preferential policy on loan interest rates, free payment in advance for short-term loans, a preferential service mechanism at all transaction points... helping female-owned enterprises access finance in a timely and convenient manner.
In particular, SeABank creates a comprehensive financial - non-financial ecosystem through the SeAPower Women's Executive Club. SeAPower members participate in many training activities, connect opportunities, support digital transformation and sustainable development, enjoy health care benefits and develop a balanced lifestyle. As of the end of June 2025, the number of female customers at SeABank increased by 140% over the same period, with total outstanding loans growing by 115%.
SeABank's efforts to improve gender equality have been effective and recognized by many domestic and international organizations: Vietnam ESG Awards (Doc tri Newspaper), Sustainable Development Enterprises (VCCI), Best Workplace in Vietnam 2024 (VCCI, Anphabe), Best Workplace in Asia 2021-2023 (HR Asia), Most Creative Bank for Vietnamese Women 2022 ( Global Business), Sustainable Development category at VOBA 2025 and Strong Brands 2025... In particular, SeABank was honored to receive the noble title of UN WEPs Award 2024 (Gender Equality in the Market) in the category "Gender Equality in the Market" voted by the United Nations General Confederation of Labor on Gender Equality and Empowerment for Women (UN Women). This is a recognition of SeABank's contributions to supporting women-owned enterprises, in line with the Bank's stated purpose when pioneering the signing of a commitment on gender equality.
Commitment to gender equality is an important pillar in SeABank's sustainable development strategy, performing the role of a responsible bank. Adhering to the vision of "putting people and the community first", SeABank constantly creates sustainable values for employees and female customers, thereby spreading inspiration and expanding opportunities for the entire female community to rise up, contributing to building an equal society, a comprehensive financial ecosystem and an inclusive economy.
