Bank

Empowering Women: SeABank’s Bold Commitment to Gender Equality in Action

As a leading Vietnamese bank and a pioneer in championing gender equality, SeABank is committed to fostering an inclusive work and business environment. We empower female employees, customers, and entrepreneurs by providing equal opportunities and ensuring their voices are heard.

Administrator

24 October, 2025

Empowering women is a pivotal lever to advance gender equality and foster an inclusive economy. The banking sector plays a crucial role in this process, serving as both an employer and a provider of capital and financial services. With a sustainable vision that prioritizes people and communities, Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank, HOSE: SSB) has pioneered the commitment to gender equality, focusing on empowering female employees and promoting inclusive finance for individual and business women.

SeABank places people at the heart of its development, leading the charge in promoting gender equality.

An equitable workplace, empowering women

SeABank believes that diversity and equality within its workforce are essential foundations for driving creativity and innovation. The bank ensures equality across all aspects of human resource management, from recruitment and career development to compensation policies.

Accordingly, a non-discriminatory recruitment policy is implemented across the bank, ensuring no bias based on factors other than professional competence. The human resource system, including salary and performance evaluation policies, emphasizes transparency and is developed based on achievements and capabilities, with consultation from Mercer – Talentnet, ensuring fair recognition and career advancement opportunities.

Additionally, the bank focuses on maximizing the potential of women and encouraging their participation in managerial roles. As of the end of 2024, SeABank has achieved gender balance at all management levels, with 48% of managers being women; notably, 51% of top-level managers (Level 1 and above) are female. At the leadership level, SeABank’s Board of Directors comprises 50% women, ensuring diverse perspectives and effective governance.

SeABank focuses on maximizing potential and creating equitable career development opportunities.

Understanding the challenges women face in the workplace, SeABank has established a flexible and balanced work environment with supportive policies such as: marriage leave, maternity leave for both male and female employees; support policies for female employees during maternity (reduced working hours, breastfeeding rooms, and milk storage facilities); welfare benefits for employees with young children; and special gift programs for employees’ children…

Furthermore, SeABank emphasizes building an open, respectful, and cohesive corporate culture. Employee feedback is gathered through regular surveys, internal communication channels, and a transparent grievance mechanism. Frequent internal engagement programs and volunteer activities strengthen unity across the system, fostering a cohesive, respectful, and equitable team.

Supporting female customers, driving inclusive economic growth

To create an equitable business environment, promote inclusive finance, and drive inclusive economic growth, SeABank has expanded international partnerships and mobilized nearly 1.1 billion USD from IFC, DFC, AIIB, Norfund, FMO, Proparco, and other international financial institutions. This has strengthened SeABank’s financial and technical capabilities, enabling it to offer tailored products for female customers.

In October 2020, the SeAMobile digital banking app introduced a personalized interface for women. Additionally, SeABank launched the SeALady Cashback credit card for women, offering up to 2% cashback on transactions, with higher rates on birthdays, International Women’s Day (March 8), and Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20). Cardholders also enjoy health and beauty care benefits. Notably, for every transaction of 1 million VND, SeABank contributes 2,000 VND to the “Bright Future” Cancer Patient Support Fund.

SeABank provides tailored products, expanding growth opportunities for female customers.

To enhance women’s economic empowerment, SeABank partnered with the Vietnam Women’s Union to implement the Women’s Startup Project (2018–2025). The SeAWomen unsecured consumer loan is a standout product, offering up to 100 million VND with a term of up to 48 months, no early repayment fees, and streamlined procedures. By the end of 2024, SeAWomen had attracted over 21,000 cumulative customers, with a total outstanding balance of 1,087 billion VND, a 57% increase year-on-year.

The bank also offers specialized products to support female-led businesses, such as unsecured overdrafts of up to 5 billion VND, unsecured corporate credit cards with limits up to 200 million VND, and loan-to-value ratios (LTV) of up to 100% for deposits and 95% for real estate. These products come with preferential interest rates, no early repayment fees for short-term loans, and priority service at all transaction points, ensuring timely and convenient access to finance for female entrepreneurs.

Notably, SeABank has created a comprehensive financial and non-financial ecosystem through the SeAPower Exclusive Female Entrepreneur Club. SeAPower members participate in training, networking opportunities, digital transformation support, and sustainable development initiatives, while enjoying health and lifestyle privileges. By the end of June 2025, the number of female business customers at SeABank increased by 140% year-on-year, with total outstanding loans growing by 115%.

Numerous networking and training events for female entrepreneurs by the SeAPower Club.

SeABank’s efforts to promote gender equality have been recognized by various domestic and international organizations: Vietnam ESG Awards (Dan Tri Newspaper), Sustainable Business (VCCI), Best Places to Work in Vietnam 2024 (VCCI, Anphabe), Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2021-2023 (HR Asia), Most Innovative Bank for Vietnamese Women 2022 (Global Business), Sustainable Development Award at VOBA 2025, and Strong Brand 2025… Notably, SeABank was honored with the prestigious UN WEPs Award 2024 (“Women’s Empowerment Principles Award 2024”) in the “Gender Equality in the Marketplace” category by UN Women. This recognition underscores SeABank’s contributions to supporting women-led businesses, aligning with its commitment to gender equality.

Gender equality is a cornerstone of SeABank’s sustainable development strategy, reflecting its role as a responsible bank. Guided by the vision of “putting people and communities first,” SeABank continuously creates sustainable value for its employees and female customers, inspiring and expanding opportunities for the entire female community. This contributes to building an equitable society, a comprehensive financial ecosystem, and an inclusive economy.

Kim Ngân

– 10:39 24/10/2025