Vietnam banks seek strategic Investors to raise capital

Notably, this group is actively seeking strategic investors to fulfill their capital-raising plans for 2025.

On January 7, BID closed at its session high of VND 40,300 per share, with a total trading volume of 10.4 million shares. BID is confident in achieving its business targets set for 2024.

By the end of 2024, BID's total assets exceeded VND 2.6 quadrillion, with credit outstanding reaching nearly VND 2 quadrillion, up 14% compared to the beginning of the year.

Quarterly, BID's credit grew by 3.7% compared to the previous quarter, with total outstanding loans reaching approximately VND 1.9 quadrillion. Loans to SMEs and retail sectors grew by 16.3% and 16.8%, respectively. BID has implemented various preferential lending packages and remains among the banks offering the lowest lending rates in the market.

Additionally, the decline in low-interest deposits from the State Treasury, coupled with increased fundraising from the interbank and primary markets, caused a slight rise in funding costs. The non-performing loan (NPL) coverage ratio also dropped to 115.7%, the lowest level in the past three years.

Notably, BID's plan to pay a 21% stock dividend was completed at the beginning of 2025. Furthermore, a private placement deal, equivalent to 2.89% of its shares, is expected to conclude in Q1 2025.

By the end of November, CTG's credit grew by 14.2%, while its NPL ratio remained under 1.1%. Its NPL coverage ratio continued to maintain a high level. Thanks to its low-cost capital advantage and extensive network as a state-owned bank, CTG is competitive in attracting both individual and corporate clients.

CTG's Net Interest Margin (NIM) is forecast to improve gradually in 2025 as the economy recovers, allowing the bank to scale back support packages for production and business activities. Its charter capital is expected to increase to VND 74.2 trillion, providing additional resources to improve its capital adequacy ratio and expand operations.

By year-end, VCB's credit growth was approximately 13%, with total loans reaching VND 1.4 quadrillion, total assets nearing VND 2 quadrillion, and NPLs maintained below 1%.

Regarding capital raising—a key factor in enhancing competitiveness—VCB obtained parliamentary approval to increase capital at the end of 2024. Meanwhile, BID completed its capital-raising initiative in early 2025, and CTG is in the process of seeking approval for further capital increases to bolster its financial position.

The roadmap for capital-raising efforts across the banking sector remains active. VCB and BID continue planning private placements to foreign investors.

Among private joint-stock commercial banks, Techcombank is considering selling shares to foreign partners, while banks with low foreign ownership ratios—such as TCB, EIB, LPB, and NCB—have room to raise capital through share issuances to foreign shareholders.

In 2025, the banking sector is expected to recover gradually, driven by an improving economy, supportive measures related to the real estate market, and stable interest rate levels that will stimulate consumer demand.

At a meeting on January 7, 2025, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, Đào Minh Tú, emphasized that to facilitate credit institutions (CIs) in providing capital to the economy, the central bank will set a 16% growth target for the entire system from the start of the year. In 2024, credit growth for the economy was approximately 15.08% compared to the end of 2023.

Positive credit growth is a crucial factor in increasing banks' profitability. This trend also fuels investor expectations for banking stocks in 2025 and creates more opportunities for banks to execute their capital-raising plans.