Deposit rates inch down to reluctant 11%

A customer scrutinizes deposit rates offered by Vietnam Asia Commercial Bank. Deposit rates are now at the same level of 11% for terms from one to 36 months - Photo: Thuy Trieu

HCMC – Almost all commercial banks have complied with a pledge made earlier to reduce their deposit rates, but signs of reluctance are seen in the new move when lenders quote the same rate of 11% for deposits of all terms.

Since late last week, banks have cut their rates for Vietnam dong deposits to a maximum of 11% per year for terms starting from one month instead of the previous level of 11.2% under their commitments with the Vietnam Banks Association.

Some big banks such as Asia Commercial Bank, Vietnam Export Import Commercial Bank and Vietcombank have revised their deposit rates for Vietnam dong with the highest rate standing at 11% per year.

On Monday, many other banks also followed suit.

The new common rate is believed to put smaller banks at a disadvantage in competition with larger institutions. Furthermore, operating costs will also be higher as banks may attract short-term funds only when offering the same interest rate.

That means banks will have to rely on promotions to lure depositors.

At Vietnam Asia Commercial Bank, those who deposit at least VND20 million for six, nine, or 12 months can enjoy a lot of incentives such as added rate for depositors older than 50 years, bonus cash depending on the deposit value, and vouchers to buy goods.

Therefore, depositors now do not need to compare interest rates offered by different banks but will look at available promotion programs.

However, lower borrowing rates will make it possible for banks to cut lending rates as well, a move sought by the Government and the central bank.

Dam The Thai, deputy general director of HDBank, said that if all banks agree to lower deposit rates, the capital cost will fall, offering lenders a chance to cut their lending rates.

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Banks say cutting rates still a challenge

HCMC – Several bankers say it still proves difficult to cut interest rates in the rest of the year, borrowing and lending alike, as instructed by the Government although their current capital has got a spur following amendments to Circular 13.

The general director of a bank in HCMC’s District 1 said that his bank would not lower the lending rate any more between now and the end of the year as its profit up to date was so low compared to the year’s target. In addition, given current deposit rates, mobilization in Vietnam dong at the bank cannot increase much so the possibility of trimming the rate would be low, he added.

Another banker in HCMC said the rate cut would be minimal if any.

After Circular 13 was amended, which effectively means quantitative easing, the amount of current capital has increased as banks can use part of corporate deposits under call terms for lending, a practice banned under the circular.

However, “although there is the possibility of lower lending rates, the reduction will not be substantial,” explained the banker, who serves as deputy director of the HCMC branch of a big bank.

In September, Vietnam Banks Association had meetings with banks in Hanoi and HCMC to encourage them to reduce interest rates under the Government’s requirement. The association encouraged banks to cut mobilization rates to 11% from October 15 from the current 11.2% per year.

Early this month, the association has sent a document asking banks to comply with the requirement, but Duong Thu Huong, the association’s general secretary, told the Daily that banks would look at each other before making any rate cut decision due to fear of losing depositors.

“Banks are very much hesitant over the rate cut as demanded by the association,” Huong said.

In fact, commercial banks have launched a lot of promotion programs to lure depositors. Besides, according to the leader of a joint-stock bank, several lenders even negotiate deposit rates with clients at this time.

However, Huong also said that besides amending the Circular 13, the interest rates are also determined by the country’s inflation rate this year, which usually gains a faster pace towards the year’s end, as seen in the September CPI at 1.31%.

In addition, deposit rates for the U.S. dollar and gold are increasing, making it harder to cut the rate in Vietnam dong. Therefore, Vietnam Bank Association has asked banks to lower their dollar and gold rates also.

Many banks said that their deposits in gold have strongly increased after the interest rates have increased to 1%-2% per year.

According to the third quarter report of the State Bank of Vietnam, lending rates in Vietnam dong for agricultural sector, exporters, small and medium enterprises are around 12%-12.5% at State-owned banks and 12.5%-13.5% at joint-stock banks while rates for other loans are from 13% to 15% per year. However, only banks’ close corporate clients can enjoy those rates while others are charged at least one percentage point higher.

The report also said that mobilization and lending rates could not decrease to the levels asked by the Government (deposit rate at 10% and lending rate at 12%) due to high pressure on inflation and banks’ difficulties in mobilizing fund.

The new report of the National Financial Supervisory Commission said that after changes to Circular 13, the capital flow has got bigger but basically it is still restricted by the loans-to-deposit ratio at 80% for banks.

In 2009, banks’ outstanding loans accounted for 96.93% of total mobilization, and the ratio was 92.96% in the first half this year. Reducing the ratio further to 80% from October 1 has also proved a hard nut to crack for many banks.

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Banks say cutting rates still a challenge

HCMC – Several bankers say it still proves difficult to cut interest rates in the rest of the year, borrowing and lending alike, as instructed by the Government although their current capital has got a spur following amendments to Circular 13.

The general director of a bank in HCMC’s District 1 said that his bank would not lower the lending rate any more between now and the end of the year as its profit up to date was so low compared to the year’s target. In addition, given current deposit rates, mobilization in Vietnam dong at the bank cannot increase much so the possibility of trimming the rate would be low, he added.

Another banker in HCMC said the rate cut would be minimal if any.

After Circular 13 was amended, which effectively means quantitative easing, the amount of current capital has increased as banks can use part of corporate deposits under call terms for lending, a practice banned under the circular.

However, “although there is the possibility of lower lending rates, the reduction will not be substantial,” explained the banker, who serves as deputy director of the HCMC branch of a big bank.

In September, Vietnam Banks Association had meetings with banks in Hanoi and HCMC to encourage them to reduce interest rates under the Government’s requirement. The association encouraged banks to cut mobilization rates to 11% from October 15 from the current 11.2% per year.

Early this month, the association has sent a document asking banks to comply with the requirement, but Duong Thu Huong, the association’s general secretary, told the Daily that banks would look at each other before making any rate cut decision due to fear of losing depositors.

“Banks are very much hesitant over the rate cut as demanded by the association,” Huong said.

In fact, commercial banks have launched a lot of promotion programs to lure depositors. Besides, according to the leader of a joint-stock bank, several lenders even negotiate deposit rates with clients at this time.

However, Huong also said that besides amending the Circular 13, the interest rates are also determined by the country’s inflation rate this year, which usually gains a faster pace towards the year’s end, as seen in the September CPI at 1.31%.

In addition, deposit rates for the U.S. dollar and gold are increasing, making it harder to cut the rate in Vietnam dong. Therefore, Vietnam Bank Association has asked banks to lower their dollar and gold rates also.

Many banks said that their deposits in gold have strongly increased after the interest rates have increased to 1%-2% per year.

According to the third quarter report of the State Bank of Vietnam, lending rates in Vietnam dong for agricultural sector, exporters, small and medium enterprises are around 12%-12.5% at State-owned banks and 12.5%-13.5% at joint-stock banks while rates for other loans are from 13% to 15% per year. However, only banks’ close corporate clients can enjoy those rates while others are charged at least one percentage point higher.

The report also said that mobilization and lending rates could not decrease to the levels asked by the Government (deposit rate at 10% and lending rate at 12%) due to high pressure on inflation and banks’ difficulties in mobilizing fund.

The new report of the National Financial Supervisory Commission said that after changes to Circular 13, the capital flow has got bigger but basically it is still restricted by the loans-to-deposit ratio at 80% for banks.

In 2009, banks’ outstanding loans accounted for 96.93% of total mobilization, and the ratio was 92.96% in the first half this year. Reducing the ratio further to 80% from October 1 has also proved a hard nut to crack for many banks.

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Vietnam’s banks asked to lower deposit rates to 11 pct

The Vietnam Banks Association has asked members to reduce deposit rates to no more than 11 percent by Oct. 15 from 11.2 percent, according to a statement on the central bank’s website.

For non-term deposits and deposits of less than three months, the association asked commercial banks to make a bigger reduction to create a “suitable” interest-rate curve to attract long-term funds, according to the statement. Members were also asked to lower dollar-deposit rates and to cut borrowing costs to spur lending, according to the statement.

The Southeast Asian nation’s government has been asking commercial banks to increase lending to support the economy and meet a target for 25 percent credit growth this year. The State Bank of Vietnam on Sept. 28 allowed lenders to use 25 percent of non-term deposits made by businesses for loans. Bank credit has grown 19.27 percent from the start of the year to Sept. 27.

Vietnam’s gross domestic product may expand 6.7 percent this year, surpassing a target of 6.5 percent, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, chairman of the Government Office said Sept. 30. The government in May asked the State Bank of Vietnam to lower deposit rates to 10 percent and cut borrowing costs to 12 percent to spur economic growth.

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Vietnam’s banks asked to lower deposit rates to 11 pct

The Vietnam Banks Association has asked members to reduce deposit rates to no more than 11 percent by Oct. 15 from 11.2 percent, according to a statement on the central bank’s website.

For non-term deposits and deposits of less than three months, the association asked commercial banks to make a bigger reduction to create a “suitable” interest-rate curve to attract long-term funds, according to the statement. Members were also asked to lower dollar-deposit rates and to cut borrowing costs to spur lending, according to the statement.

The Southeast Asian nation’s government has been asking commercial banks to increase lending to support the economy and meet a target for 25 percent credit growth this year. The State Bank of Vietnam on Sept. 28 allowed lenders to use 25 percent of non-term deposits made by businesses for loans. Bank credit has grown 19.27 percent from the start of the year to Sept. 27.

Vietnam’s gross domestic product may expand 6.7 percent this year, surpassing a target of 6.5 percent, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, chairman of the Government Office said Sept. 30. The government in May asked the State Bank of Vietnam to lower deposit rates to 10 percent and cut borrowing costs to 12 percent to spur economic growth.

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• Developers focus on lower-cost housing
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