Directive No. 01/CT-NH20 on expanding bank payment services in residential areas

DIRECTIVE

OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE BANK OF VIETNAM

On expanding banking payment services in residential areas

The policy of expanding banking payment services in residential areas has been piloted in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and expanded to four provinces: Hai Phong, Quang Nam - Da Nang, Vung Tau, and Can Tho. After one year of implementation, positive initial results have been achieved, affirming the necessity to further promote this initiative. Based on the proposal of the pilot steering committee of six provinces and cities, the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam decides to implement this policy throughout all provinces and cities nationwide, requiring the directors of provincial branches of the State Bank of Vietnam, the General Directors and Directors of state-owned and joint-stock commercial banks, and the heads of departments, bureaus, and committees at the central State Bank to thoroughly understand the objectives and effectively carry out the following tasks:

1. Expanding banking services in residential areas is an important component of the development strategy of the Vietnamese banking industry. It aims to achieve goals related to capital investment exploitation; gradually introduce traditional and modern payment tools into residential areas, reform and eliminate the habit of using only cash in residential areas, and enhance the efficiency of payments in the national economy.

2. The Governor of the provincial branch of the State Bank is instructed to proactively work with the directors of commercial banks in their respective regions to establish a steering committee for implementation, led by the Governor of the State Bank. The steering committee must develop plans and measures for timely and effective implementation: seek guidance from local Party committees and authorities; closely coordinate with relevant departments and agencies; conduct effective publicity through mass media; organize monthly reviews and report specific results, supplementing guidance measures, and submit reports to the leadership of the State Bank and local Party committees and authorities according to the attached template.

3. The General Directors and Directors of state-owned and joint-stock commercial banks are required to develop plans and measures and issue directives to their branches to organize the implementation within their systems and closely coordinate with provincial steering committees.

4. The Departments of Economic Research, Accounting and Finance; the Information Technology Center; Issuance and Treasury; and the Standing Committee of the Payment Council (with the Standing Committee of the Payment Council being responsible for coordination) shall, within their functions and responsibilities, provide guidance, support, and create favorable conditions for provincial steering committees to organize implementation; promptly address the requirements of localities; compile and report situations monthly.

5. It is necessary to expand individual account opening and non-cash payment tool usage among individuals and private enterprises with high cash transaction volumes; cooperate with trade and service sectors, electricity supply units, postal services, rental businesses, etc., to organize payments through bank accounts. Measures should be implemented step-by-step and steadily, avoiding rashness and formalism. Each province and city needs to focus on key areas to ensure successful expansion.

6. For the six provinces and cities that have already piloted this program, it is necessary to continue effectively utilizing existing positive measures; pay attention to engaging high-income enterprises, organizations, and individuals; commercial banks should proactively organize three-party contracts between users, service providers, and account-opening banks for regular payments such as electricity, water, postal services, taxes, etc.; collaborate with restaurants, hotels, airlines, gas stations, etc., to increase the scope of personal check payments.

For the 47 provinces implementing this round, it is necessary to actively and urgently complete preparatory work in January 1996 to roll out services to customers at the beginning of February 1996.