Bringing digital banking services closer to the people of Thanh Hoa province

Amid the rapidly expanding wave of digital transformation, the application of technology in banking operations is not only an inevitable trend but also a key driver to enhance service quality for the people.

Staff of VBSP Yen Dinh Transaction Office directly guide customers in installing digital banking services right at their homes

Embracing this momentum, Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) - Thanh Hoa Provincial Branch has proactively directed its affiliated Transaction Offices to roll out VBSP SmartBanking - a modern digital banking platform on smartphones that enables customers to conduct financial transactions flexibly, safely, anytime and anywhere.

Beyond basic utilities such as information inquiries, fund transfers, and bill payments, the application also supports loan management and online savings deposits, helping people save time and travel costs. Particularly in rural, remote, and mountainous areas, this serves as a practical solution to narrow the gap in access to financial services, promote cashless payments, and accelerate digital transformation across society.

As a social policy beneficiary, Mr. Hoang Van Hoang (in Hoach Thon village, Yen Dinh commune) previously had to travel monthly to the commune’s central post office to receive his allowance. The trips were time-consuming and labor-intensive, affecting his farming activities. Everything has become much simpler when he’s guided to install and use VBSP SmartBanking. His allowance is now transferred directly to his account, eliminating the need for travel while allowing him to proactively monitor and manage his funds.

In addition, his account balance automatically earns interest, and he can easily switch to online savings deposits through the application without visiting the bank. From initial unfamiliarity, with dedicated guidance from VBSP staff, he has quickly become confident in using the technology.

“Just with a smartphone, I can track my transactions and pay electricity and water bills. It’s very convenient, and I feel more secure not having to carry cash as before”, Mr. Hoang shared.

With a loan of VND 100 million (approximately USD 4,000) from VBSP, Ms. Le Thi Nhu (in Hoach Thon village, Yen Dinh commune) previously had to go to the transaction point monthly to repay principal and interest, which costing time and affecting her household responsibilities. However, since adopting VBSP SmartBanking, repayments have become significantly more convenient. With just a smartphone, she can make payments anytime, anywhere, even outside office hours. The application also enables her to track repayment schedules, outstanding balances, and transaction history in detail, helping her manage finances more proactively and avoid risks such as missed due dates or unexpected costs.

At VBSP Yen Dinh Transaction Office, service deployment follows a “door-to-door” approach. The unit actively promotes the service during commune transaction sessions, integrates guidance into village meetings, and closely coordinates with entrusted mass organizations as well as savings and credit groups to bring services closer to the people. Notably, bank staff provide on-the-spot, hands-on support, enabling even elderly customers to access and use the application’s basic features effectively.

Mr. Phung Ba Hong, Director of VBSP Yen Dinh Transaction Office, noted that VBSP SmartBanking not only facilitates fast and secure transactions but also opens up opportunities for rural populations to access modern financial services. The unit will continue maintaining its grassroots-oriented approach to ensure all citizens can effectively access and use the service.

Meanwhile, at VBSP Thieu Hoa Transaction Office, implementation is carried out flexibly in line with local conditions. The unit integrates application guidance into commune transaction sessions and community activities, gradually fostering cashless transaction habits among residents. This approach not only improves accessibility but also creates a natural and sustainable spread within the community.

Mr. Le Minh Duc, Director of VBSP Thieu Hoa Transaction Office, shared that VBSP SmartBanking enables people to perform most financial transactions on their phones, from receiving funds and transferring money to loan repayment and savings deposits. This solution is well-suited to rural conditions, helping reduce costs while enhancing transparency and financial autonomy for each household.

Beyond customer benefits, digital banking deployment has also brought positive changes to internal operations. Over-the-counter transactions have decreased significantly, processes have been streamlined, and manual errors minimized. As a result, VBSP’s staff have more time to focus on credit management, inspection, supervision, and improving service quality.

Mr. Tran Trung Kien, a commune-level public official in Thieu Trung commune, also noted clear improvements when using VBSP SmartBanking. Previously, his busy schedule made it difficult to arrange time for loan repayments. Now, all transactions can be completed quickly via smartphone, allowing him to better manage both work and personal life. Loan monitoring has also become clearer and more transparent.

From an implementation perspective, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, Head of a savings and credit group in residential area 7, Thieu Trung commune, said that in the past she had to collect payments from each household monthly and deliver them to VBSP, which time-consuming and risky. Now, with members using VBSP SmartBanking, debt collection has become much easier. At the same time, online savings deposits are increasingly trusted due to their safety, flexibility, and convenience.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, Deputy Director of VBSP Thanh Hoa Provincial Branch, the unit has issued a detailed plan and directed synchronized implementation from the provincial to grassroots levels. Transaction Offices are required to develop user growth roadmaps aligned with their professional tasks while strengthening on-site communication, particularly at transaction points.

In addition, the branch places strong emphasis on staff training and capacity building; assigns staff to directly support, advise, and address customer inquiries; and promptly resolves any issues arising during service use. Inspection and supervision have also been enhanced to ensure safe and compliant service delivery.

The consistent and decisive implementation from provincial level to grassroots has not only increased the number of users but also gradually transformed people’s transaction habits.

From cash-based practices, people are shifting toward digital transactions and becoming more proactive in managing personal finances. This contributes to improving the effectiveness of policy credit operations and advancing digital transformation across the province.

Therefore, VBSP SmartBanking is not merely a banking application, but it also is a bridge bringing technology closer to people’s daily lives - opening up new opportunities for access to financial services and contributing to a modern, transparent, and sustainable digital economy.