Each annual general meeting season is not only an occasion to review the operations of banks, but also a clear reflection of the broader industry picture, one of the stock groups with a major influence on the stock market and a “barometer” of the economy. Business results, development strategies, and the way banks respond to market fluctuations all partly indicate macroeconomic health and policy direction in each period.
In that context, Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (BAC A BANK) has emerged as an institution choosing a “slow but steady” path, not chasing overheated growth, but remaining committed to a foundation of safe and efficient governance, as reflected in stable growth indicators and distinctive marks in its sustainable development strategy.
Staying committed to sustainable, people-centered development strategy
One of the consistent elements in Bac A Bank’s strategy is its sustainable development orientation, in which the “For People” factor is not only a core value but also a guiding principle for all business activities. As the banking sector faces increasing pressure to balance growth and safety, as well as profit and social responsibility, Bac A Bank’s approach reflects a distinctive choice.
Speaking at the 2026 annual general meeting of shareholders, Thai Huong, vice chairwoman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Bac A Bank, emphasized the philosophy: “A bank must truly act as a midwife for the economy, enabling money to circulate along the value chain, always accompanying and providing credit to enterprises that pursue sustainable development based on Vietnam’s natural resources and Vietnamese intellect combined with the world’s end-to-end technology, toward the true happiness of every individual.”
In practice, Bac A Bank has consistently prioritized sectors that generate added value and positive socio-economic impact, such as high-tech agriculture, clean food, clean medicinal herbs, healthcare, and education. Notably, the bank does not merely play the role of a “credit provider” but is also more deeply involved as an advisor and connector, contributing to the formation of production models based on closed-loop value chains. This approach helps improve the efficiency of capital use while creating spillover effects on local economies and people’s livelihoods.
At the same time, Bac A Bank pays particular attention to integrating ESG-oriented sustainable development standards into its appraisal and credit-granting process. The Bank prioritizes projects that apply high technology, ensure traceability, provide transparent information, and control product quality, especially in sectors directly related to public health, such as clean food and clean medicinal herbs. The integration of ESG criteria not only helps improve credit quality but also channels capital toward green, sustainable, and socially responsible production activities.
This orientation is also being expanded into new fields such as medicinal herbs and biotechnology, aiming to build value chains based on natural raw materials and the application of science and technology. This is regarded as a long-term move that not only delivers economic efficiency but also helps elevate Vietnam’s advantageous production sectors and realize their potential for international integration.
Digital banking and retail as growth drivers
Alongside its sustainable development pillar, Bac A Bank is progressively accelerating digital transformation and retail banking services to drive new growth momentum. In the context of rapidly changing customer behavior and intensifying industry competition, investing in digital banking is no longer a trend but an absolute necessity.
Bac A Bank’s 2025 results showed a clear shift: the number of individual customers rose by around 32%, corporate customers increased by more than 20%, while digital channels recorded growth of over 70% in transaction value. This not only reflected an improvement in scale but also showed that customers’ preference for and habit of using digital services were becoming increasingly clear.
Notably, income from services and guarantees increased by more than 70%, reflecting the effectiveness of Bac A Bank’s strategy to diversify its revenue sources. As profit margins from credit activities come under pressure, increasing the share of service income is seen as an important direction for improving the quality of growth. At the same time, efforts to build a sustainable CASA base have helped the Bank optimize funding costs and expand its capacity to provide loans at attractive interest rates.
In the time ahead, Bac A Bank aims to further increase the share of income from service activities, expand its market presence, and strengthen its base of regular transacting customers. Its strategic focus is to accelerate the rollout of digital banking and Kiosk Banking projects, with digital experience and the service ecosystem at the center. The comprehensive digitalization of processes and integration of financial, payment, and consumer utilities on a single platform will not only enhance customer experience but also create a sustainable competitive advantage in the retail segment.
Strengthening governance capacity and proactively adapting to market volatility
One of the factors that has helped Bac A Bank maintain stable growth momentum is its governance capacity and ability to adapt to market fluctuations. Amid volatility in interest rates and capital markets, the Bank has maintained good liquidity, ensured a balanced funding structure, and proactively managed its policies.
Full compliance with the safety indicators prescribed by the State Bank of Vietnam, such as the CAR ratio, liquidity reserve ratio, loan-to-deposit ratio, and the ratio of short-term capital used for medium- and long-term lending, is a key factor that enables the Bank to proactively respond to market fluctuations and helps Bac A Bank maintain its growth momentum.
Bac A Bank has adopted a prudent approach by refraining from joining the race to raise deposit interest rates while maintaining preferential lending programs in line with the Government’s direction. Although this may put certain pressure on short-term profits, the approach reflects the Bank’s consistent view: not to maximize profit, but to harmonize the interests of the Bank, its customers, and the economy.
This view has been concretized through Bac A Bank’s proactive development of specialized products and services, as well as the implementation of sales promotion programs tailored to each customer segment. Notable among these are credit packages for individuals and enterprises under the “green credit” orientation, as well as payment services supporting import-export activities. These products are not only designed with suitable utilities but also accompanied by competitive interest rate and fee policies, helping provide maximum support for customers in their production and business activities.
As the banking sector faces major changes, from digital transformation to sustainable development requirements, Bac A Bank’s “slow but steady” choice reflects a prudent approach with long-term strategic value. Its commitment to a foundation of safe governance, while gradually innovating and adapting, is helping the Bank not only maintain stable growth but also build its own position and contribute positively to the sustainable development of the economy.
