This was revealed by Vietnam Report on June 27 in its announcement of the top 10 prestigious commercial banks in Vietnam in 2018. Many banks in its survey last month planned positive profits in their shareholders’ meeting. Some even expected a growth rate of 40-65 percent.

In 2017 and the first half of 2018, the banking sector witnessed strong and stable progress, focusing on restructuring.

The management policies of State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) achieved some success. The central bank absorbed quite a lot of foreign currency, thus increasing foreign reserves, controlling inflation, stabilising foreign exchange rate and ensuring payment balance surplus.

In 2017-18 period, banks made headlines for their internal restructuring as well as for their market image, human resources, business strategy and merger and acquisition.

The rate of bad debts reduced sharply in 2017. According to SBV, credit organisations resolved 753.5 trillion VND worth of bad debts from 2012 to March 2018. Banks have been active in resolving bad debts, especially those sold to the Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC). The top 10 banks, such as Vietcombank, ACB, Techcombank and MB Bank, completed resolving bad debts sold to VAMC in 2017, while Vietinbank completed the process in the first quarter of this year.

During this period, many banks achieved a high and stable growth rate. Experts attributed this to the net interest margin maintained at an ideal level by the banks.

However, banks are expected to face some challenges in the time ahead. According to specialists of Vietnam Report, risks of credit, liquidity and interest rate will still be key issues.

Currently, the high credit growth has been transferred from real estate to individuals, which is considered less risky. High consumption credit means the increase of fake and fraudulent information to apply for consumption loans. In the context of a surge in trust loans, the competition will become fiercer, making banks vulnerable to risks.

The list of top 10 commercial banks has been announced annually since 2012 based on an evaluation of reputation, financial capacity and growth potential.

The top 10 prestigious commercial banks in Vietnam in 2018revealed by Vietnam Report are Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam, Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade, Joint Stock Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Asia Commercial Bank, Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Saigon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank, and Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank.-VNS/VNA