At 6 a.m., the local market in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, buzzes with activity. In her tiny vegetable stall, barely 5 square meters, Nguyen Thi Hanh (46) swiftly arranges baskets of bok choy, bundles of morning glory, and fresh spring onions on the shelves. However, today, her inventory is noticeably smaller. “A few days ago, my supplier demanded immediate payment, but I couldn’t arrange the funds in time, so I had to reduce my order,” she explains.
For small-scale traders like Hanh, the need for quick cash to restock is a daily challenge. With revenue often delayed by several days, unexpected expenses—such as a child’s illness, rising rent, or urgent supplier payments—can easily disrupt cash flow. “Borrowing from family feels awkward, and high-interest loans from local lenders often mean working just to pay off debt,” she adds.
Hanh’s struggle is shared by many households. According to the 2024 Household Living Standards Survey by the General Statistics Office, the average monthly income per capita is approximately VND 5.4 million, while average monthly spending is around VND 2.8 million. This highlights the limited savings capacity of many families. When faced with sudden expenses, small traders and freelancers often resort to high-cost informal loans, risking a cycle of debt.
In recent years, digital financial platforms have introduced new options. One standout solution is F88’s credit line service, which uses asset-backed lending tailored for everyday customers like small traders and freelancers—groups often overlooked by traditional banks.
Unlike traditional loans, F88’s credit line operates entirely through its My F88 app. New customers complete the collateral process just once in-store. Afterward, they can withdraw funds online anytime, saving up to 90% of the processing time compared to conventional loans.
Once approved, the maximum credit limit appears directly in the My F88 app. Borrowers can withdraw funds multiple times within this limit without revisiting a branch. Withdrawals are seamless: select the desired amount in the app, and funds transfer instantly to the user’s account between 1 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
Essentially, F88 provides a pre-approved “credit wallet” for customers to access as needed. Interest and fees apply only to the withdrawn amount, not the full limit, and early repayment is fee-free, maximizing cost savings.
For traders like Hanh, this flexibility is transformative. “Now I’m not pressured by lowball offers or losing suppliers due to cash shortages. Knowing my credit limit is available on my phone, I confidently order larger quantities without fear of being caught off guard,” she shares.
Cases like Hanh’s demonstrate the high demand for flexible financial tools in daily life. A standby credit line not only sustains business operations for small traders but also empowers ordinary workers to handle emergencies like medical bills, vehicle repairs, or tuition fees. This solution steers them away from risky informal loans, whose consequences can be severe. For these customers, a minute spent on the app can mean a month of worry-free work, knowing they have a reliable safety net.
