Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Many commercial banks have raised deposit interest rates over the past few weeks, generating concern about an imminent lending interest rate hike.
Maritime Bank is the latest bank to have raised its short-term Vietnamese dong deposit rates by 0.2 percent per year, to touch 4.9-5.2 percent as of July 26.
On June 20, Maritime Bank also increased its short-term deposit rates by 0.1 percent.
Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) has also announced, effective from July 25, a sharp rise of 0.4 percent in the one-month deposit rate, which is now 5.4 percent.
VPBank also raised its rate on July 13, making it the third increase of the bank’s rate in July. During the month, the bank mainly increased long-term deposit rates.
Accordingly, VPBank’s rates for 15- to 18-month deposits are up 0.2 percent to touch 6.8-7.2 percent and for 24- to 36-month deposits, the rates have risen by 0.3 percent to reach 7.6-7.7 percent.
Previously, in a new rate list announced on July 12, Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) also increased its short-term deposit rates by 0.2 percent to touch 4.6-4.9 percent.
VietABank announced the first rate increase this year for deposits of more than six months on July 11. Accordingly, nine-month and 12-month deposits have rates of 6.9 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively, up 0.2 percent. There is an increase of 0.3 percent for 13-month deposits and 15- to 36-month deposits, lifting the rates to touch 7.6 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively.
Due to the deposit rate hikes, there is some concern that a lending interest rate hike is imminent.
However, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) said in a report released last week that it would ask commercial banks to keep the rates stable over the remaining months of the year.
SBV said it would continuously instruct commercial banks to balance their mobilised capital sources and lending capital sources to stabilise deposit interest rates in the remaining months of the year.
Better business performance and lower input costs are also required for maintaining lower lending rates.-VNA
