The first half of 2025 has seen a wave of staff layoffs and personnel restructuring at many banks. This is not just a short-term response to economic challenges but a clear sign of a comprehensive overhaul in their operating models, with resource efficiency and technology utilization playing key roles. Banking is the most labor-intensive industry in the financial sector, where each institution’s human resource structure always reflects its operating strategy and development priorities. In previous years, the main trend was still recruitment to expand networks and strengthen teams of tellers and salespeople in response to credit growth and market demand. However, in the first half of 2025, this has dramatically changed due to technological advancements involving Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, fierce competitive pressure, combined with shifts in customer behavior, has forced banks to thoroughly review their human resource structures. By the middle of this year, the entire commercial banking system in Vietnam had begun a major overhaul of its human resources. Banks are dismissing many employees in traditional roles, especially those handling customer transactions, operations, and intermediary management. Meanwhile, some institutions are increasing hiring for roles related to technology, data, consulting, and customer care to […]
Technology shifts reshape banking jobs
By Le Hoai An (*) & Vo Nhat Anh (**)
