On the afternoon of 9 October 2026, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Region 10 held its 2026 thematic conference on People’s Credit Funds (PCF) to implement the Scheme on “Comprehensive Restructuring of the People’s Credit Fund Network and the Cooperative Bank of Vietnam in the 2026-2030 period, with a Vision to 2045” (the Scheme).
The conference was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation, connecting 05 venues across the SBV Region 10’s areas (including Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa Provinces). The conference was co-chaired by Mr. Bui Huy Tho – Director of SBV Region 10, Mr. Phan Thanh En – Deputy Director of SBV Region 10, and Mr. Luong Tuan Dung – Head of Supervisory Board of the Co-operative Bank of Vietnam (Co-opBank). At the venues, representatives of the Board of Management and professional divisions from the SBV Region 10 attended the conference.
Other participants also included representatives of Co-opBank Binh Thuan Branch and Lam Dong Branch; the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Branch of the Deposit Insurance of Vietnam (DIV); Economic Security Division of the Lam Dong Provincial Police Department; representatives of commune- and ward-level People’s Committees; and leaders of 59 PCFs operating in Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong provinces.
Delivering his opening remarks, Mr. Bui Huy Tho – Director of SBV Region 10 – emphasized that the Scheme is regarded as an important orientation for building the PCF network to operate safely, effectively and sustainably – in accordance with its principles and objectives. Effective implementation requires the coordination between the SBV, local authorities, Co-opBank and the PCFs, focusing on enhancing financial capacity and governance quality while accelerating digital transformation and strengthening members’ trust.
At the conference, the delegates listened to reports on the performance of the PCF network in Region 10 during the first eight months of 2026 and a review of the first year implementing the Coordination Regulations between the SBV Region 10, Co-opBank, and the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Branch of the DIV. Each party agreed to continue strengthening information sharing, coordinating in management, supervision, support and addressing emerging issues, thereby ensuring the safety of the network.
The delegates also focused on discussing solutions to address operational areas following the administrative reorganization of communes and wards, improve governance capacity, and strengthen the organizational structure, the internal control system and information technology infrastructure in line with Circular No. 62/2025/TT-NHNN.
In addition, the conference mentioned solutions to strengthen financial capacity, improve credit quality, finalize appraisal and disbursement procedures, control lending risks, address non-performing loans, and promote digital transformation commensurate with the scale of operations. Coordinated efforts to establish hotlines, ensure public order and security, and manage media crises in order to maintain depositors’ confidence were also highlighted.
Speaking on behalf of Co-opBank, Mr. Luong Tuan Dung – Head of Supervisory Board reaffirmed that Co-opBank continues to fulfil its role as the bank of the PCFs, supporting the network in strengthening, innovation, and development. Given resource constraints, PCFs should reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and build up resources to invest in digital transformation, facilities, human resource training, and improve governance capacity to meet the restructuring requirements of the upcoming period.
Mr. Luong Tuan Dung also emphasized the needs to promote digital transformation, strengthen the coordination between Co-opBank and the SBV Region 10 in information sharing, supervision, operational support and resolving difficulties for PCFs. At the same time, it is necessary to uphold the role of local authorities and the police in ensuring security and timely addressing misinformation, thereby protecting the reputation and stable operations of the local PCF network.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Phan Thanh En – Deputy Director of SBV Region 10 – urged PCFs to strictly implement the tasks set out in the Scheme, operate in accordance with the principles and objectives of the cooperative model. Mr. Phan Thanh En also called on PCFs to also proactively strengthen their financial capacity, improve their governance quality, control risks, accelerate digital transformation, step up internal monitoring and control, and strictly comply with legal regulations.
The conference helped establish a common understanding and a unified approach in implementing the Scheme, while strengthening coordination between state regulators, local authorities and PCFs in order to develop a network with safe, effective and sustainable operations in the 2026-2030 period, with a vision to 2045.
Reporter
