Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) has sealed a historic $350 million loan agreement with an esteemed consortium of international partners, comprising Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), British International Investment (BII), Export Finance Australia (EFA), Development Finance Institute Canada (FinDev Canada), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). SMBC led the way as the Coordinator and Mandated Lead Arranger for this groundbreaking deal.
The signing ceremony, a testament to VPBank’s prominence, was hosted at their Hanoi headquarters and graced by the Ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, alongside senior diplomats from the Canadian Embassy and top executives from the partner institutions. VPBank’s own Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer were also in attendance, showcasing the bank’s leadership and commitment.
This $350-million (approximately VND9.1 trillion) five-year facility serves as a catalyst for VPBank’s sustainable finance strategy. The funding will be strategically allocated to three pivotal areas: social finance, green finance, and essential infrastructure development. This aligns seamlessly with Vietnam’s overarching goals of inclusive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure enhancement.
“This substantial funding from leading Development Finance Institutions and bilateral agencies underscores VPBank’s financial robustness, forward-thinking strategic vision, and global recognition in sustainable finance,” affirmed Mr. Nguyen Duc Vinh, Chief Executive Officer of VPBank. He added, “The facility expands our green and social lending capabilities and showcases our unwavering dedication to inclusive growth. It also empowers Vietnamese enterprises, especially women-led ventures, in their global expansion journey and improves lives through essential infrastructure.”
The loan proceeds are earmarked for climate-friendly initiatives, supporting Vietnam’s net-zero 2050 ambitions; empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on women-led businesses in line with the global 2X Challenge for gender equality; and vital infrastructure projects in underserved areas, ensuring access to healthcare, education, sanitation, clean water, and affordable housing.
This deal stands as one of the largest multi-agency financings for a Vietnamese joint-stock commercial bank. Additionally, it marks BII’s inaugural direct debt investment in Vietnam and EFA’s first on-lending facility in Southeast Asia’s financial sector, making it a milestone for all involved.
Beyond capital, this partnership imbues international best practices into VPBank’s operations and fortifies its global network, harnessing the collective strength of the U.K., Australia, Canada, and Japan. It exemplifies the power of collaboration in creating positive, lasting change.
Mr. Carsten Stoehr, Executive Officer and Deputy Head of Asia Pacific Division at SMBC, shared his pride in the collaboration: “SMBC is honored to have joined forces with VPBank, BII, EFA, FinDev Canada, and JICA on this landmark facility. This transaction epitomizes the impact of partnerships in creating positive change for local communities and emerging markets. Generating social value is at the core of SMBC’s mission, and this deal, which advances multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, is a testament to our unwavering commitment.”
British International Investment (BII) emphasized the deal’s alignment with its climate finance strategy for Southeast Asia. “Vietnam is a key market for BII as we strive to deliver climate finance to countries in the region that rely heavily on fossil fuels,” shared Mr. Srini Nagarajan, Managing Director and Head of Asia at BII. “We are thrilled to partner with VPBank, SMBC, and other co-lenders on this groundbreaking syndicated facility, marking our first direct debt investment in Vietnam. Our focus on backing climate-responsible business operations and bolstering Vietnam’s green energy transition is integral to its net-zero 2050 aspirations and enduring positive growth.”
Mr. John Hopkins, Managing Director & CEO of Export Finance Australia, highlighted the agreement’s significance: “Our collaboration with VPBank and other international lenders is pivotal to our expanding engagement across Southeast Asia. Together, we’re enabling the delivery of green and essential infrastructure, shaping a more sustainable future for the region.”
For FinDev Canada, this deal resonates strongly with their Indo-Pacific investment focus. Mr. Paulo Martelli, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of FinDev Canada, reiterated: “Our investment in Vietnam’s climate sector perfectly aligns with our Indo-Pacific strategy. We are proud to collaborate with VPBank in expanding access to funding for enterprises, especially women-led ventures, through this syndicated facility. By uniting with dedicated partners, we strive to strengthen climate action, foster inclusive and sustainable development, and create enduring positive change in Vietnam.”
JICA, through the SMBC-JICA Sustainable Finance Framework, reiterated its continued collaboration with VPBank. Mr. Shigeo Honzu, Senior Deputy Director General of the Private Sector Partnership and Finance Department at JICA, remarked, “We are delighted to partner with VPBank and the co-financiers in advancing sustainable finance in Vietnam. This marks our second cooperation with VPBank, focusing on enhancing financial access for Women-owned Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (WMSMEs). We believe this project will further financial inclusion for WMSMEs and contribute significantly to the country’s sustainable development.”
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On July 29, 2025, VPBank (HOSE: VPB), one of the leading joint-stock commercial banks in Vietnam, announced the successful signing of a syndicated loan worth USD 350 million. This loan was made possible through a collaboration with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and prominent development finance institutions (DFIs), including British International Investment (BII), Export Finance Australia (EFA), FinDev Canada, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). SMBC acted as the coordinator and authorized co-lead arranger for this significant financing endeavor.
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