On March 5, 2026, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Region 14, in coordination with Co-operative Bank of Vietnam (Co-opBank), organized a conference to outline and assign the 2026 operational tasks for People’s Credit Funds (PCFs) and microfinance institutions in Region 14.
The conference was attended by representatives from the SBV and related units, including Mr. Tran Quoc Ha — Acting Director of SBV Region 14; heads of the inspection and supervision divisions of SBV Region 14; representatives of the Mekong Delta Deposit Insurance; directors of microfinance institutions; representatives of the Cooperatives Alliance of Can Tho City and Vinh Long Province, as well as representatives of the relevant People’s Committees; and Chairpersons of the Boards of Directors and Directors of 49 PCFs across Can Tho City and Vinh Long Province.
The conference was attended by representatives from the SBV and related units, including Mr. Tran Quoc Ha — Acting Director of SBV Region 14; heads of the inspection and supervision divisions of SBV Region 14; representatives of the Mekong Delta Deposit Insurance; directors of microfinance institutions; representatives of the Cooperatives Alliance of Can Tho City and Vinh Long Province, as well as representatives of the relevant People’s Committees; and Chairpersons of the Boards of Directors and Directors of 49 PCFs across Can Tho City and Vinh Long Province.
Representing Co-opBank were Mr. Nguyen Thac Tam – Deputy General Director; leaders of several departments at the Head Office; and senior representatives from Co-opBank’s Tra Vinh and Soc Trang Branches.
Mr. Tran Quoc Ha – Acting Director of SBV Region 14 delivering remarks at the conference
At the conference, delegates received a comprehensive report summarizing the performance of the PCFs network in 2025. The report noted that 49 PCFs are currently operating across 128 communes and wards in the region – 20 in Can Tho City and 29 in Vinh Long Province. As of the end of 2025, the total charter capital of the system exceeded 236 billion vnd, representing an increase of 7.38% compared to the end of 2024. Average equity reached 9.584 billion vnd per fund, with the majority of PCFs recording profitable operations. Total operating capital as of December 31, 2025 reached nearly 4.446 trillion vnd, up 2.46% from the end of 2024, of which mobilized capital from members and the public remained the primary funding source, accounting for 88% of total capital. Total outstanding loans of PCFs reached nearly 3.229 trillion vnd, reflecting a decline of 1.67% compared to the end of 2024, attributable primarily to a number of PCFs prioritizing debt recovery and tightening lending in higher-risk sectors.
In recent years, Co-opBank has worked closely with SBV Region 14 on information exchange to strengthen the effectiveness of supervision, capital intermediation, and operational support for the PCFs network thereby contributing to the system’s safe, stable, and sustainable operations. In parallel, Co-opBank has continued to review, refine, and develop products and services specifically tailored to the needs of the PCFs network, in a flexible manner aligned with practical requirements, while further promoting its role in capital intermediation and providing liquidity support to PCFs as needed.
Amid the strong momentum of digital transformation, Co-opBank has been actively investing in upgrading its technological infrastructure and developing digital banking products tailored specifically to the PCFs network. However, digital transformation can only yield meaningful results when PCFs actively embrace it and recognize it as an essential driver of enhanced competitiveness, greater operational transparency, and improved member services.
Addressing the conference, Mr. Nguyen Thac Tam – Deputy General Director of Co-opBank – affirmed that Co-opBank has consistently recognized its role as the bank of the PCFs network system, with a steadfast focus on accompanying and supporting PCFs in operating safely and effectively. In fulfilling this role, Co-opBank has maintained close coordination with SBV Region 14 on information exchange, supervision strengthening, capital regulation, and liquidity support for PCFs as needed.
Co-opBank has further reviewed and refined various mechanisms and policies, developed products and services suited to the specific characteristics of the PCFs network, and promoted the adoption of technology and digital banking services to support PCFs in progressively modernizing their operations. Mr. Nguyen Thac Tam emphasized that digital transformation is an inevitable trend – one that fundamentally enhances transparency, management efficiency, and the quality of services delivered to members.
Mr. Nguyen Thac Tam further urged PCFs to strictly comply with applicable legal regulations and SBV directives; uphold the mutual assistance principles and objectives underpinning the PCF model; and strengthen governance capacity, improve risk controls, and proactively refine internal regulations and operational procedures. He additionally called on PCFs to prioritize investment in technological infrastructure and to actively engage in digital transformation as a means of enhancing competitiveness and better serving their members.
Mr. Nguyen Thac Tam – Deputy General Director of Co-opBank delivering remarks at the conference
Delivering keynote remarks at the conference, Mr. Tran Quoc Ha – Acting Director of SBV Region 14 – acknowledged and commended the results achieved by the PCF network in the region in recent years. PCFs have largely maintained stable operations and reinforced their role as a vital channel for delivering capital to members and local residents, particularly in agricultural and rural areas, thereby supporting production and business development and contributing to local economic growth.
Mr. Tran Quoc Ha also recognized the significant role of Co-opBank in accompanying and supporting the PCFs network. In recent years, Co-opBank has actively coordinated with the SBV on supervision, capital intermediation, and liquidity support, while implementing a range of initiatives in product and service development and digital transformation to improve the operational efficiency of PCFs – thereby strengthening the cohesion and overall safety of the entire system.
However, in light of ongoing fluctuations in the financial market and increasingly stringent operational safety requirements, Mr. Tran Quoc Ha called on PCFs to continue strengthening their financial capacity and improving credit quality; proactively managing risks and preventing the emergence of non-performing loans; and intensifying capital mobilization from members and the public. He further stressed that PCFs must strictly adhere to regulatory limits and safety ratios, enhance the effectiveness of governance, management, and internal control systems – thereby ensuring safe, stable, and sustainable operations.
As a key outcome of the conference, SBV Region 14 and Co-opBank formally signed the “Regulation on Coordination in the Management of PCF Operations” in the region. The regulation is designed to strengthen coordination mechanisms and information exchange among relevant agencies in the management and supervision of the PCFs network – thereby contributing to the protection of depositors’ legitimate rights and interests, and to the preservation of monetary stability and banking system safety across the region.
Signing Ceremony of the Coordination Regulation between SBV Region 14 and Co-opBank
The conference on implementing the 2026 tasks of the PCFs network in Region 14 concluded successfully, reflecting the shared commitment of regulatory authorities, Co-opBank, and PCFs to further consolidate and develop the PCFs network in a safe and effective manner – while reinforcing its vital role as a key channel for delivering capital in support of local socio-economic development.
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