Agribank is advancing lending through lending groups in a coordinated and modern manner, in conjunction with product and service development, digital transformation, financial inclusion and green growth. This move aims to further enhance the effectiveness of a capital delivery channel that has been widely implemented for more than 25 years, while responding to new development requirements in agriculture and the rural economy.

On 5 June 2026, Agribank’s General Director issued Document No. 9515/NHNo-KHCN, directing Type I branches to intensify lending through Lending groups and drive stronger and more coordinated action across the entire system. Under the document, directors of Type I branches are directly responsible for implementing ten key sets of tasks to develop lending through Lending groups. A key requirement is to integrate lending activities with the provision of modern banking products and services to customers in rural areas.

As part of the lending process, customers are guided to open payment accounts, use the Agribank Plus application, make QR code payments and register for automatic loan repayment. Agribank Plus offers a range of services, including online account opening, digital banking, online savings and borrowing services, enabling customers to gradually access modern and more convenient financial services. The use of digital banking and cashless payment methods for principal and interest collection helps reduce transaction costs while improving the transparency, accuracy, safety and reliability of Lending Group operations.

For people in remote, border and island areas, digital banking services help overcome geographical barriers to accessing banking services while making transactions more convenient. During implementation, Agribank staff and Lending Group leaders continue to coordinate in guiding customers on access to and use of appropriate banking products and services. With a network of nearly 60,000 Lending groups, close to one million members and outstanding loans exceeding VND 215 trillion across 34 provinces and cities, the digitalisation of lending through these groups will contribute to broader access to formal financial services and promote financial inclusion in rural areas.

Alongside the development of lending through Lending groups, Agribank continues to prioritise capital for green agriculture, clean agriculture, high-tech agriculture, the circular economy, emission-reduction projects, sustainable production linkages and climate-resilient models. Through its extensive operating network, credit policies are communicated promptly to households, cooperatives, enterprises and other producers, enabling customers to adopt new technologies, improve product quality and participate more deeply in agricultural value chains.

Across the Agribank system, Agribank currently serves nearly 39,000 green credit customers, with total outstanding green loans exceeding VND 28 trillion. This demonstrates how Agribank’s direction of prioritising capital for environmentally friendly production, efficient resource use and climate change adaptation is being progressively translated into its lending operations.

Agribank is also gradually integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards into its operations, strengthening risk management capacity and enhancing transparency and accountability. Through these efforts, Agribank is moving towards international green finance standards and contributing to Vietnam’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As a wholly state-owned commercial bank with a key role in financing agriculture, farmers and rural areas, Agribank regards its partnership with local communities not only as a business responsibility, but also as a public policy responsibility and a mission to support community development. Advancing lending through lending groups in conjunction with technology, digital banking services and green credit will continue to help channel capital to the right beneficiaries and meet their needs, supporting the modern, efficient and sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas.

Kylie Nguyen