VPBank Releases Inaugural Sustainability Report: Prosperity Measured by Long-Term Value

This year, amidst global climate change challenges, complex natural disaster developments, and a global shift towards sustainability within the international financial system, Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank, HoSE: VPB) has, for the first time, published its independent Sustainability Report.

VPBank's report adheres to the latest common standards for sustainability reporting guidelines set by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), issued by the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), and references the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This demonstrates VPBank's commitment to supporting the Vietnamese government in achieving these goals, both nationally and globally.

This report is not merely a summary of ESG activities over the past year; it is a strategic declaration of a long-term commitment to a growth model that balances economic benefits, social responsibility, and environmental protection. With impressive results in green finance, transparent governance, and community contributions, VPBank affirms its position as a model for sustainable banking in Vietnam, opening a new chapter in its strategy for long-term prosperity.

 

VPBank's Strategic Commitment

 

Climate change is no longer a distant concept but an immediate threat, causing over VND 1.6 trillion in damage in Vietnam in the last decade. In 2024, Vietnam experienced 18 out of 22 types of natural disasters, with severe impacts, culminating in Typhoon Yagi, the strongest in 70 years, causing over VND 81 trillion in damages.

In this context, sustainable development and green finance are no longer merely optional trends but have become a structural requirement for the financial system.

For VPBank, sustainable development is not just a trend to adapt to; it is a strategic choice, systematically planned and consistently executed throughout all banking operations. This commitment is clearly reflected in the central message the bank chose for 2024 – "Sustainable Prosperity." In the report, VPBank articulates that "sustainability" is not merely a slogan—it is an operating philosophy, a principle in strategic planning, product design, and even organizational culture.

From this understanding, the bank has simultaneously implemented concrete actions to ensure that ESG principles do not merely exist on paper but truly create a positive impact on the environment, society, and business performance.

 

VPBank’s report is prepared in accordance with the latest universal standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and references the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

Sustainable Finance Milestones

One of the most notable highlights in VPBank's newly released report is its systematic and comprehensive sustainable finance strategy.

In 2024, VPBank successfully raised a total of USD 735 million from international development finance institutions (DFIs) and signed a USD 150 million credit agreement with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). These agreements bring the total scale of international sustainable capital raised by VPBank to nearly USD 2.8 billion by the end of 2024.

Most recently, in May 2025, VPBank continued to make headlines by successfully executing an international syndicated loan deal with a record initial value of USD 1 billion, with an option to expand the loan value depending on VPBank's capital needs. This syndicated loan was arranged, underwritten, book-run, and co-lent by major financial institutions such as Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Standard Chartered Bank, MUFG, ANZ, and Cathay, among others.

These figures not only demonstrate VPBank's capacity to access international capital but also affirm its growing position on the global sustainable finance map.

Alongside these efforts, the bank has published its Sustainable Finance Framework—a set of standards independently verified by Sustainalytics as consistent with global objectives. By the end of 2024, VPBank's green finance portfolio reached nearly VND 22 trillion, equivalent to almost 88% of its 2030 target— an impressive result, especially considering that ESG in Vietnam is still in its nascent stages.

In terms of governance, VPBank continues to elevate its operational standards by applying OECD principles, the ASEAN scorecard, and IFC guidelines. This foundation has helped the bank rank among the Top 10 enterprises with the best corporate governance in the large-cap group and among the Top 5 largest-cap stocks in the VNSI basket—the sustainable development index on the HoSE. Beyond just information disclosure, VPBank has pioneered the establishment of an Environmental and Social Risk Management System since 2016, nearly a decade ahead of common standards in Vietnam.

Furthermore, VPBank has also taken the lead in developing an ESG Risk Management Framework, which was assessed by the highly reputable EY Consulting Vietnam according to international practices of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the European Central Bank, the Bank for International Settlements, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

On the social front, the bank has contributed nearly VND 1.9 trillion to build and renovate hundreds of schools across the country, assist disadvantaged communities, organize community runs attracting athletes from hundreds of countries and territories, and bring international-level cultural and artistic events to Vietnam. Notably, VPBank is the first bank in Vietnam to establish a Human Rights Statement, marking a new step in ethical responsibility in corporate operations.

All these achievements contribute to a comprehensive ESG picture, where every action by VPBank aims for a dual objective: growth and the creation of positive value for society, moving towards a sustainable future. A future where "Prosperity" is no longer measured solely by profit margins but by the extent to which value is disseminated and by the harmonious development among people, the environment, and businesses.