HANOI: Vietnam’s central bank is tightening the reins on credit growth this year, but several dynamic private lenders are still setting ambitious lending targets, signalling a sharply differentiated outlook across the banking sector.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has set a credit growth target of 15% for 2026, down from last year’s target of 16% and well below the 19.1% expansion recorded in 2025, reflecting a more cautious approach as it prioritises stability and risk control.
However, the credit growth picture among banks is expected to remain uneven in 2026 as some large lenders have begun setting targets to expand lending aggressively.
VPBank plans to exceed VND1.29 quadrillion, or US$49bil, in consolidated outstanding loans this year, equivalent to credit growth of around 34% compared with last year.
MB is also targeting credit and deposit growth of about 35%, with retail banking identified as its core segment. Several other medium and small-sized banks are aiming for credit growth of around 20%, although the credit limits granted by SBV may be lower. — Viet Nam News/ANN
