As of December 31, 2025, the charter capital of 30 domestic commercial banks reached nearly VND1 quadrillion (US$40 billion), an increase of VND152 trillion (US$6.1 billion), or 18%, compared to the end of 2024.

A total of 22 commercial banks raised charter capital during 2025, lifting the combined figure for the entire system, excluding four banks under compulsory transfer, to more than VND985.685 trillion (US$39.4 billion).

In percentage terms, National Citizen Bank recorded the most impressive increase, with charter capital rising 63.67% compared to the end of 2024. From being a small-capital lender, NCB has now reached VND19.28 trillion (US$771 million), completing its capital increase plan one year ahead of schedule under its restructuring roadmap.

This marks NCB’s third consecutive capital increase within four years, from 2022 to 2025, ensuring full compliance with safety ratios stipulated in Circular No. 41/2016/TT-NHNN on capital adequacy for credit institutions.

KienlongBank, MB, Viet A Bank and VietBank were also among the lenders posting the strongest proportional capital increases, ranging from 50% to 59% compared to the end of 2024.

Notably, Military Bank rose to second place in the Vietnamese credit institution system by charter capital. As of December 31, 2025, MB’s charter capital reached VND80.55 trillion (US$3.2 billion), up 51.8%, equivalent to an additional VND27.486 trillion (US$1.1 billion).

In absolute terms, MB ranked second among banks with the largest capital increases in 2025.

Meanwhile, Vietcombank recorded the largest absolute increase, becoming the bank with the biggest charter capital in the system at more than VND83.557 trillion (US$3.34 billion).

VietinBank also posted a significant rise, adding VND24 trillion (US$960 million) to reach VND77.669 trillion (US$3.11 billion).

After a year without issuing new shares to boost capital, VPBank relinquished its position as the largest bank by charter capital to Vietcombank. With charter capital of over VND79.339 trillion (US$3.17 billion), VPBank now ranks third system-wide. However, it remains the largest among private-sector banks by charter capital.

The top four banks – Vietcombank, MB, VPBank and VietinBank – together hold more charter capital than the combined total of the bottom 10 banks.

Other lenders with charter capital exceeding VND70 trillion (US$2.8 billion) include Techcombank at VND70.862 trillion (US$2.83 billion) and BIDV at VND70.214 trillion (US$2.81 billion).

After receiving approval from the National Assembly to raise capital in 2024, Agribank’s charter capital stands at VND51.638 trillion (US$2.07 billion), ranking seventh in the system.

ACB and HDBank follow with VND51.366 trillion (US$2.05 billion) and VND50.053 trillion (US$2.0 billion), respectively.

The group of 16 banks with billion-dollar charter capital also includes SHB, VIB, MSB, LPBank, SeABank, TPBank and OCB.

Many commercial banks have already outlined plans to further increase charter capital in 2026, including some that raised capital in 2025.

SHB, after boosting its capital by 25% to VND46 trillion (US$1.84 billion), has announced a plan to raise it to VND53.442 trillion (US$2.14 billion) through the issuance of 750 million shares to existing shareholders, professional investors and employees.

Although Viet A Bank raised its capital by 51%, it remains a relatively small lender with VND8.164 trillion (US$327 million). In the fourth quarter, the State Bank of Vietnam approved its second capital increase of 2025 through share issuance to existing shareholders and an employee stock ownership plan. Upon completion, its charter capital is expected to reach VND11.495 trillion (US$460 million), up more than VND3.331 trillion (US$133 million).

Similarly, ABBank recently received approval to raise more than VND3.6 trillion (US$144 million), equivalent to a 35% increase, through rights offerings to existing shareholders and employee share issuance. Its charter capital is projected to reach VND13.973 trillion (US$559 million).

The race to increase charter capital reflects banks’ efforts to support business expansion and allocate resources across operations.

Strengthening charter capital also enhances financial capacity, improves capital adequacy ratios, enables further business expansion, supports investment in facilities and technology infrastructure, improves service quality, and ultimately boosts the sector’s ability to supply capital to the economy.

Tuan Nguyen