The State Bank of Vietnam will continue to closely monitor the monetary market and the banking sector to discover violations and help banks deal with liquidity-related problems, the bank said.

Customers perform transactions at Techcombank. The State Bank of Vietnam is looking to stablise the domestic monetary market by reducing interest rates and improving transparency. — VNA/VNS Photo Tran Viet

These efforts are aimed at ensuring the smooth operation of the monetary market and safeguarding the interests of depositors as well as credit institutions and the banking sector as a whole.

In its announcement on Tuesday, the central bank also said the domestic monetary market was more stable, with a decrease in interest rates and greater transparency in deposit mobilisation and lending.

Interest on dong deposits is 14 percent or less, and on loans to production sectors, 19 percent.

The central bank is using monetary policy tools to bring down interest rates, curb money supply, and stabilise forex rates. This is also expected to ensure banking sector liquidity remains stable.

The central bank admitted that in the past the pace of credit growth at some banks was so quick that it resulted in an imbalance between and availability and use of funds.

To stop this, the bank said it was determined to scrupulously implement the Government\'s Resolution 11 on containing inflation, stabilising the economy, and guaranteeing social security.

Several monetary tightening measures were applied, which caused temporary liquidity problems for some banks.

They include reducing loans to non – production sectors to 16 percent for the year, curbing overall credit growth to 20 percent, capping deposit interest rates at 14 percent, and raising basic interest rates such as re-financing rate.

Local banking system

In a development strategy unveiled on Tuesday by the central bank, the consolidation and restructure of the banking system will be major tasks over the next five years.

The central bank said although some progress had been made in the banking system over the past year, the sector was still lacking competitiveness, financial ability, proper management, up to date technology and skilled human resources, causing instability and latent risks.

The central bank has been looking at addressing these limitations to develop the system safely, healthily and effectively, based on large scale operations and advanced banking administration and technological systems.

Accordingly, four basic principles for the restructuring process have been identified.

First, the sector would develop a diversified banking system in ownership, scale and type to meet the diversified demands of the economy in both urban and remote areas.

Regarding scale, there would be a variety of banks, ranging from those that could operate and compete on a regional scale, to small and medium sized banks and non-banking credit organisations to meet the demands of all the people.

The most important thing was that existing banks operated safely, healthily and effectively, not their scale, said State Bank Governor Nguyen Van Binh.

Second, the sector would improve a safe and secure banking system.

Third, mergers and consolidation among banks would be implemented under a voluntary basis and ensure the interests of depositors as well as the economic rights and obligations of shareholders.

Fourth, the restructure of the banking system would be implemented in various reasonable forms, measures and schedules.

The SBV said that mergers and consolidation tended to improve competitiveness and would bring added value to banks, including larger operating scale, increased reputation and lower operating costs.

By the end of 2010, Vietnam\'s banking system has one development bank, one social policy bank, five State-owned and State-invested commercial banks, 37 joint stock commercial banks, 50 branches of foreign banks, five wholly foreign-invested banks, five joint venture banks, 18 financial firms, 12 financial leasing companies and one people\'s central credit fund.