Mr. Tram Be still owes Sacombank tens of thousands of billions of dong?

Sacombank shareholders attend the meeting on April 25

On the morning of April 25, Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank) held its annual general meeting of shareholders for the 2024 fiscal year.

At the meeting, many shareholders questioned the Board of Directors and the General Director of Sacombank about the progress of handling bad debts, especially the debts of Mr. Tram Be - a major shareholder and former leader of this bank.

Responding to shareholders, Ms. Nguyen Duc Thach Diem, General Director of Sacombank, said that as of December 31, 2016, the total principal debt of Mr. Tram Be and related parties was VND 35,400 billion, with the interest expected to be deferred according to the restructuring plan being VND 12,919 billion. From 2017 to December 31, 2024, Sacombank has recovered VND 25,612 billion (including principal and interest). The remaining debt balance as of the end of 2024 is VND 12,037 billion.

The total interest that Mr. Tram Be and related parties still have to pay under the contract until December 31, 2024 is VND 57,605 billion. These debts are secured by 604.94 million STB shares (equivalent to 32% of the holding ratio), currently managed by VAMC with a value of about VND 6,611 billion.

Regarding the handling of STB shares that Mr. Tram Be used to secure loans, Ms. Nguyen Duc Thach Diem said that Sacombank had submitted a handling plan many years ago but encountered difficulties and had not been approved. In 2024, the bank developed a new plan in accordance with legal regulations, proposed to buy back the debt sold to VAMC and organize an auction through an independent company.

"We have submitted to the State Bank a detailed plan to handle the shares of Mr. Tram Be and related people. The State Bank has assigned 14 handling plans in the bank restructuring project. Sacombank has completed 13/14 plans, only the bad debt issue of Mr. Tram Be has not been completely resolved," said Ms. Diem.

Regarding the debt of Phong Phu Industrial Park (Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City), Sacombank leaders said that in 2024, the bank recovered 1,500 billion VND, helping to reduce bad debt and set aside provisions. It is expected that in 2025, the owner of Phong Phu Industrial Park will pay an additional 30-40% and by 2026, this debt will be completely paid off.

In addition to the bad debt issue, Ms. Diem also announced Sacombank's positive business results in the first quarter of 2025 when credit growth reached 4.7%, completing 33% of the yearly plan; bad debt ratio was controlled at 2.2%; pre-tax profit reached 3,674 billion VND...

Sacombank is committed to continuing to handle bad debts, especially Mr. Tram Be's debt, to ensure shareholder rights and comply with the requirements of the State Bank. Sacombank also aims to maintain sustainable growth and control risks in 2025.

Meanwhile, according to Sacombank Chairman Duong Cong Minh, the bank has invested heavily in digital transformation in recent times. In 2024, Sacombank began cutting staff and this plan will continue to be implemented in the 2025-2026 period. The number of traditional transaction offices is expected to gradually decrease, making way for transaction activities in the digital space.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ong-tram-be-van-con-no-sacombank-hang-chuc-ngan-ti-dong-196250425123054435.htm