Increase financial inclusion for the poor, low-income population through digital solution

(VBSP News) “Banking apps on cell phones are helping people in rural areas manage their finances”, said Phạm Xuân Hoè, deputy director general of the Banking Strategy Institute at the State Bank of Việt Nam (SBV) at the launching ceremony of the i3 programme held in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

Financial experts had discussions at the launch event i3

The i3 programme launched by MicroSave, MetLife Foundation and Việt Nam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), which stands for Innovate, Implement and Impact, aims to help these communities by supporting financial institutions that are developing their digital transformation initiatives on this particular segment. The programme is expected to impact around 400,000 low-and-middle income people.

“The SBV aims to leverage the accomplishments of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with regards to digitalising activities in the banking sector to create quick access to financial resources for the people and businesses,” Hoè said.

Experts said despite a low rate of access to formal financial institutions, the banking sector in Việt Nam has witnessed a revolution.

Việt Nam is projected to have the fastest growing retail banking market in Asia, with an expected compounded annual growth rate of 25 per cent from 2016 to 2018.

However, more than 90 per cent of payments remain cash-based because, he said, people still believe more in cash transactions.

“In order to change that habit, first of all it is necessary to give people greater confidence in new forms of payment, then to take into account the financial services,” he said.

He added that the application of financial technology has had a great impact, especially for low-income people. However, there are still many things to do.

Manoj Sharma, managing director, Asia, MicroSave said: “While basic access to banking services and products remains a challenge in Việt Nam, the Government has shown firm commitment through conducive policies that aim to advance financial inclusion.

“Through the i3 programme, MicroSave aims to work with strong and capable financial services and fintech institutions to design and deliver financial products and services that meet the needs of low and moderate income people, who aspire to lead financially healthy lives.”

Gaurav Sharma, CEO and general director, BIDV MetLife Life Insurance LLC said: “Việt Nam is undergoing a historic and exciting growth phase, making this the right time and perfect opportunity to ensure the growth is inclusive and equitable. MetLife Foundation is very well aligned with the Vietnamese Government’s priority of improving financial health of low- to moderate-income people, and the i3 programme is a great example of that. We hope to create a positive impact on the financial lives of two million people across Việt Nam with this initiative.”

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam Bank for Social Policies and MicroSave

Bui Quang Vinh, deputy general director of VBSP, said: “VBSP is a government-owned bank taking the lead in policy and microfinance in Vietnam. We have the largest network coverage in the banking system that ensures that the poor policy holders in rural, mountainous, remote, and isolated areas can easily access financial and banking services at 63 provincial branches, 630 district transaction offices, and 10,962 transaction units opened at the communal People’s Committee offices nationwide.”

With 183,000 savings and credit groups and over 6.7 million active customers, together with more than 20 financial schemes and other services, total outstanding loans have reached over VND185 trillion ($8 billion). The disbursed funds have then been 100 per cent invested in communes, wards, and towns across the country.

VBSP has aided over 31.8 million poor households and beneficiaries to gain access to the funds they need, lifting 4.5 million households above the poverty line, while attracting and creating jobs for some 3.4 million labourers. Over 3.5 million students, in addition, have benefited from the funds to complete their study and over 9.7 million clean water and rural environmental sanitation projects have been built.

“With the goal of not letting the Fourth Industrial Revolution ignore the poor, through the co-operation with MicroSave at the i3 programme we expect to raise digital financial literacy for the poor, help increase and improve access to the full range of digital financial services to those who lack access to traditional banking services, accelerating economic opportunities for low-income households and women-led microenterprises,” Vinh added.

At the launching ceremony, Việt Nam Bank for Social Policies and MicroSave signed a memorandum of understanding for co-operation.

Under the MOU, the bank would continue implementing the second phase of the mobile banking service project designed to improve access to a full range of financial services for low-income households, especially women-led micro-enterprises that lack access to traditional banking services. The MicroSave would provide technical and consultancy supports to VBSP.

The project which was implemented in co-operation between VBSP, Mastercard and the Asian Foundation over three years sent account-related information via SMS texts to clients, thus improving transparency and reducing delinquency rates. — VNS