IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, recently approved a convertible loan of US$57 million to Viet Nam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank).

The two-year loan term, which can be extended for two additional years, will help VPBank expand its lending scope to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a strategic and focal segment of VPBank.

According to the agreement, IFC has the right to convert the principal balance to VPBank’s common shares during the loan term. At present, VPBank is completing legal procedures for this convertible loan.

“IFC’s long-term financing will help VPBank move closer towards its goal of becoming a leading small-and-medium sized bank in Viet Nam, supporting the private sector’s development and contributing to economic growth,” Lam Bao Quang, acting IFC country manager for Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos, said.

“Thanks to IFC’s investment, VPBank can enhance its reputation and brand value through IFC’s supervision and technical support in corporate governance, especially risk management,” CEO Nguyen Duc Vinh said, reiterating that this loan provided VPBank with medium-term capital for foreign-currency loans.

He added that it also contributed to VPBank’s charter capital to meet capital requirements and strengthen capital adequacy ratio, following Basel II in case IFC implements its right to convert the loan to shares.

Basel II is a new, higher level for Vietnamese banks in accordance with Basel Accords standards set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS). The application is flexible to different countries but the overall spirit is tighter regulations on banking operations.

In 2016 and early 2017, IFC also provided VPBank with a five-year financial package of $158 million and trade guarantee lines of up to $50 million. This helped VPBank to continue expanding its lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, especially women-owned enterprises, and boost international trade opportunities. — VNS