On the occasion of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13), a conversation with General Director Phạm Như Ánh of Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB, HOSE: MBB) revealed insights into his career journey, pivotal decisions, and his relentless pursuit of innovation.
MB General Director Phạm Như Ánh
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Discipline to Stay on Track, Breakthroughs to Lead
Throughout his career, General Director Phạm Như Ánh has distilled a core belief that has guided him through the most turbulent market phases: “Discipline alone keeps you on the right path but never at the forefront. Creativity alone sparks explosions but risks losing direction. It’s the fusion of discipline and breakthroughs that crafts an extraordinary journey.”
This philosophy was forged during his nearly 20-year tenure at MB, an organization steeped in the spirit of a “soldier.” Discipline, resilience, and responsibility have become his compass, enabling systematic thinking, clear goal-setting, and unwavering pursuit. Discipline is not just personal strength but a strategic weapon fostering collective power, ensuring MB’s safe and efficient operations.
The most vivid proof of this philosophy is MB’s miraculous growth. From a mere VND 32.7 billion in assets at inception, MB now boasts a scale of VND 1,290 trillion, firmly establishing itself among the Big5 leading commercial banks. The first half of 2025 saw profits nearing VND 15.9 trillion, leading private banking. Notably, MB has transformed into a digital enterprise with nearly 34 million customers, 98.69% of transactions conducted digitally, and a brand value of nearly USD 1.6 billion.
Embracing Challenges from the Start
Reflecting on his past, Phạm Như Ánh faced numerous pivotal choices in a volatile financial market. Each decision demanded immense resolve. A key milestone was his appointment as Branch Director at just 26, a high-pressure “trial by fire” that also offered a golden opportunity for rapid growth.
Rather than hesitating, he embraced the challenge, dedicating 90% of his energy to work with meticulousness and a willingness to take on responsibilities. This tenacity earned him trust and larger roles. “With relentless effort, resilience, and boldness, even starting young, you can prove your worth,” he asserts, driving MB’s continuous innovation and market leadership.
Inspiring Through Action and Fostering Creativity
CEO Phạm Như Ánh’s leadership style is defined by two pillars: inspiring through action and nurturing innovation. He believes leadership transcends words. His performance on stage before thousands during MB’s 30th-anniversary celebration symbolized stepping out of comfort zones to break through.
Furthermore, he has cultivated a culture encouraging creativity. MB promotes a “dare to try, dare to fail, dare to fix” ethos, creating “Sandbox” zones for new ideas and the internal Bee Voice platform for employee innovation. Monthly “30 Minutes: Understanding and Accompanying” dialogues, led by the CEO, strengthen unity and MB’s spirit.
When defining success, Phạm Như Ánh looks beyond profit figures. For an organization serving national defense and millions of customers, success means becoming “Vietnam’s most valuable bank for customers—a highly trusted MB.”
This is evident in MB’s customer-centric approach, building a financial ecosystem from the MBBank Super App to comprehensive digital solutions for businesses. Customer financial safety is paramount, alongside sustainable value creation. MB pioneers international risk management standards (Basel II, Basel III) and integrates ESG into operations, committing VND 65 trillion to ESG initiatives and meaningful community projects.
Considering his “career legacy,” he aims to leave not personal achievements but a sustainable cultural value: an MB disciplined yet innovative, fostering creativity. This blends the soldier’s discipline with a spirit of relentless innovation. A legacy where every idea is valued, and “dare to think, dare to try, dare to fix” becomes DNA, propelling MB’s growth.
– 13:25 13/10/2025
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