On October 10, 2025, in Xuan Huong ward, Da Lat city, Lam Dong province, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Region 10, in collaboration with the Co-operative Bank of Vietnam (Co-opBank), organized a seminar on People’s Credit Funds (PCFs) 2025 under the topic: “Operational objectives of cooperative credit institutions.”
The conference, covering PCFs under the management of SBV Region 10 in Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa provinces, served as an important annual forum to comprehensively review and evaluate the operations of PCFs in fulfilling their mutual assistance objectives among members. The event also assessed the progress of PCF restructuring, inspection, supervision, and corrective measures; identified key challenges and constraints faced by PCFs; and gathered insights and guidance from local authorities to enhance coordination in management and policy implementation. Additionally, the conference introduced new mechanisms, policies, regulations, and directives related to PCF operations and provided updates on recent monetary and banking developments in the region.
Attending and directing the conference were Mr. Bui Huy Tho – Director of SBV Region 10; Mr. Phan Thanh En – Deputy Director of SBV Region 10; Mr. Vo Van Thanh – Deputy Director of the SBV Branch of Region 10; Mr. Nguyen Van Giang – Standing Deputy General Director of Co-opBank; and Mrs. Tran Thuy Binh – Director of the Deposit Insurance of Vietnam (DIV) South Central and Central Highlands regional branch.
The conference was also attended by representatives of the People’s Committee of Lam Dong province, economic security and police agencies, local Party committees and authorities where PCFs are located, leaders of several departments from Co-opBank’s Head Office, directors of Co-opBank branches in Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, Binh Dinh, and Dak Lak, together with 60 PCFs from Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa provinces.
Mr. Bui Huy Tho, Director of the SBV Region 10 delivered the opening speech at the Conference
Delivering the opening speech at the conference, Mr. Bui Huy Tho, director of the SBV Region 10, stated: “In recent years, the PCF network in the region has always received the attention and guidance of local people’s committees at all levels, as well as professional support from the SBV, Co-opBank, DIV, and other relevant agencies. Thus, the operations of PCFs have remained stable, safe, and in line with their principles and objectives.”
Currently, SBV Region 10 oversees state management of monetary and banking activities in Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa provinces. The PCF network in these two provinces has continuously grown and improved its operational quality. By the end of August 2025, the region had a total of 60 active PCFs serving more than 124,000 members, representing a 5% increase compared to 2024. Among them, 95% are individual members, while the remainder are households and legal entities.
The total outstanding loans of the network reached over VND 13 trillion, of which 99.9% were loans granted to members—clearly reflecting the cooperative nature and community spirit of the PCF model. These loans were primarily directed toward agriculture and aquaculture (76%), followed by industry, construction, commerce, and services. This demonstrates that PCFs continue to play a vital role as an important financial intermediary for rural areas, helping people sustain production, develop household economies, and build sustainable livelihoods.
For their part, Co-opBank branches in the region have effectively fulfilled their role as the “Bank for PCFs,” ensuring timely capital provision, interest rate support, supervision, and professional consultation, thereby helping PCFs operate more safely and efficiently. Training and digital transformation have also been actively promoted, paving the way for the modernization of the PCF network.
Mr. Nguyen Van Giang – Standing Deputy general director of Co-opBank delivered a speech at the Conference
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Giang, Standing deputy general director of Co-opBank, affirmed that Co-opBank has always accompanied the PCF network as a financial linkage hub, capital regulator, and technical assistant.
“Co-opBank is not only the bank of the PCFs but also a trusted companion throughout the development journey of the cooperative economic sector. In the coming time, Co-opBank will continue to better fulfill its duties and responsibilities, further accelerate digital transformation, and build a shared service platform for the entire system, helping PCFs access modern technology and serve their members more effectively,” Mr. Nguyen Van Giang emphasized.
Also at the Conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Giang proposed a closer coordination mechanism between Co-opBank and the SBV in supporting the PCF network.
During the event, delegates presented papers sharing practical experiences, capital mobilization methods, membership expansion strategies, effective credit management practices, and technological applications in PCF operations. The presentations were highly appreciated for their practicality, accurately reflecting the system’s need for innovation amid today’s competitive and rapidly digitalizing environment.
The Signing Ceremony of the Coordination regulation on information provision and exchange between the SBV Region 10 and Co-opBank
Delegates took a commemorative photo after the signing ceremony
One of the key highlights of the Conference was the signing ceremony of the Coordination Regulation between SBV Region 10 and Co-opBank. This regulation defines the principles, scope, content, and methods of coordination in exchanging and providing information on PCFs operating within the management area of SBV Region 10 and Co-opBank. It aims to enhance accountability and cooperation in fulfilling assigned functions and duties, proactively prevent and thoroughly address legal violations, ensure operational safety, and strengthen the PCF system in line with the directives of the Prime Minister and the Governor of the SBV.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Phan Thanh En – Deputy Director of SBV Region 10 acknowledged and highly appreciated the serious and responsible working spirit of all delegates. He emphasized that, in the coming time, SBV Zone 10 will continue to innovate its working methods by combining both in-person and online formats, strengthening coordination with local authorities, departments, sectors, and Co-opBank to effectively implement policies and directives, thereby providing maximum support for the operations of the PCF network.
Mr. Phan Thanh En – Deputy director of the SBV Region 10 delivered the closing remarks at the conference.
The seminar on PCFs 2025, under the topic “Operational Objectives of Cooperative Credit Institutions,” concluded successfully with practical and effective outcomes, creating new momentum for the sustainable, safe, and community-oriented development of the PCF network.
The close coordination between SBV Region 10, Co-opBank, local authorities, and PCFs in the area is expected to form a solid foundation for the cooperative credit model to grow more safely, efficiently, and sustainably. This will further affirm the role of PCFs as a vital financial pillar for thousands of households, contributing to the building of new rural areas and promoting socio-economic development across the South Central and Central Highlands regions in the new period.
Hong Hanh – Co-opBank Lam Dong branch
