Flexible loan products for SMEs

The trend of expanding credit packages for SMEs with high unsecured loan limits and accepting diverse types of collateral is being adopted by many commercial banks, opening up opportunities for many economic sectors to develop production and business.

In May, HDBank simultaneously launched preferential credit products for SMEs in manufacturing, trading, and import-export sectors. Specifically, in the logistics sector, the bank released a VND 2,000 billion credit package, offering unsecured loans of up to VND 30 billion to businesses with stable cash flow, with interest rates starting from approximately 8.7% per year.

For contractors participating in budget-funded projects, ODA projects, or PPP projects, this bank uses receivables from contracts as the basis for credit granting, lending up to 85% of the receivable value and financing up to 100% of the collateral value. In addition, in the distribution and fast-moving consumer goods sector, HDBank also offers a supply chain financing model, providing unsecured loans up to VND 5 billion to distributors and agents based on product lines, sales volume, and transaction history of the entire chain, instead of requiring real estate collateral as before.

Other banks are also focusing on developing data-driven cash flow lending products.ACB is currently offering loan packages with interest rates starting from around 5.2% per year for loans serving production in industries such as textiles, footwear, electronics, food, and beverages. In addition, the bank is also promoting overdraft products for small business expenses with a maximum term of 12 months, allowing businesses to spend beyond their current account balance and only pay interest on the actual amount used.

For micro-enterprises and newly transitioned household businesses, VPBank is focusing on digital and cash flow-based credit. Through its VPBank SMEConnect platform, the bank offers online unsecured loans to businesses operating for two years or more, based on financial statements submitted to the tax authorities and business transaction data. Some unsecured loan packages for micro-enterprises from VPBank currently have loan limits up to VND 1.5 billion without requiring collateral. In addition, businesses can also obtain online overdrafts up to VND 200 million based on electronic invoice data.

Commercial banks focus on providing payment and collection solutions, thereby enabling them to track the cash flow of individual business owners and provide appropriate credit.

Several other banks are also expanding this model. For example, MB offers overdraft packages based on cash flow for businesses with revenue under 100 billion VND; Agribank implements preferential credit programs for women-owned businesses and green agriculture with interest rates lower than usual, by about 0.5-0.7% per year. BIDV is also expanding loans to sustainable development businesses, circular agriculture, or businesses owned by women through international funding sources.

According to financial and banking experts, the recent surge in lending by commercial banks based on cash flow reflects a significant shift in risk management thinking and collateral structure within the banking system.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City International Finance Center, believes that the development of technology has made controlling cash flow and evaluating business performance much easier than before. This provides a basis for gradually expanding lending forms that do not rely entirely on collateral. The Ministry of Finance is proposing a pilot mechanism for lending based on cash flow data for SMEs, which is significant in perfecting the legal framework for new lending models.

"If there is a suitable testing mechanism, businesses will have more opportunities to access capital, and regulatory agencies will also have the opportunity to assess actual risks before finalizing policies," Mr. Huan commented.

From a business perspective, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Hue, Director of a logistics company in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the industry is characterized by orders, contracts, and rapid cash flow, but collateral is often insufficient to meet the loan requirements for large economic contracts. If a cash flow-based lending mechanism is implemented, the expected increase in accounts receivable will provide greater access to capital for businesses with existing orders, rapid capital turnover, and stable revenue. For financial and credit support policies for SMEs to be effective, the legal framework for "soft assets" still needs to be further researched and refined by relevant ministries, agencies, and the Government.

Notably, Decision No. 12/2026/QD-TTg amending the regulations on loan guarantees for SMEs borrowing capital from commercial banks officially came into effect on May 15, 2026. According to experts, ministries, sectors, and localities need to promptly issue guidelines for implementing this decision, thereby promoting the role of the credit guarantee mechanism in sharing risks and supporting SMEs lacking collateral but with feasible business plans and stable cash flow.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/linh-hoat-cac-san-pham-cho-vay-danh-cho-dnnvv-182201.html