Timely bank capital helps businesses stand firm after storms and floods

Consecutive natural disasters in the Central, Central Highlands and many Northern provinces in recent times have caused heavy damage to production and business. There are currently no complete statistics, but the number of damaged factories and warehouses and swept away raw materials is not small. The supply chain is disrupted, the cost of restoring production and business activities increases while the cash flow of enterprises decreases sharply. In that context, timely and flexible credit solutions from the banking system have become an important support to help enterprises quickly overcome the consequences, gradually restore production and stabilize the socio-economy in affected localities.

Recognizing the severity of the damage and the urgent need to restore production, immediately after the natural disasters, the State Bank issued a document requesting credit institutions, especially banks with transaction points in areas 8, 9, 10 and 11, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces, to proactively review the damage and deploy a synchronous solution package to remove difficulties for customers. One of the important policies is to implement debt forgiveness, restructure debt repayment terms and waive and reduce loan interest for customers who have suffered losses. The State Bank requires credit institutions to proactively review and assess the extent of damage in each loan case, closely coordinate with local authorities to complete the debt forgiveness documents and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulations but not causing additional difficulties for customers. In particular, the State Bank emphasized the responsibility of leaders in organizing and supervising the implementation of policies, ensuring that support reaches the right subjects, at the right time, publicly and transparently. The early and clear decisions have created an important legal foundation for the commercial banking system to deploy timely support measures, in accordance with practical needs, reducing capital pressure for businesses in the most difficult period.

Strictly implementing the direction of the Government and the State Bank, Agribank - the leading commercial bank in the agricultural and rural sector, has quickly deployed a comprehensive support package for customers affected by storms and floods. Depending on the level of damage, the bank will reduce the interest rate from 0.5% to 2% per year for existing outstanding loans (VND and USD) with the application period from November 19, 2025 to February 18, 2026. Agribank will not collect late payment interest, adjust the overdue interest rate to 100% of the interest rate in the term; at the same time, restructure the repayment period, waive and reduce service fees, provide new loans to restore production and implement debt forgiveness according to regulations. Previously, since the beginning of October 2025, Agribank has reduced interest rates by up to 2% for customers affected by storms No. 10 and 11, demonstrating its proactiveness and consistency in accompanying people and businesses in areas frequently affected by natural disasters.

Besides Agribank, many other banks have also strongly implemented support packages to share difficulties with customers. TPBank is one of the pioneers to announce a support package of up to VND 4,000 billion specifically for customers in the North and Central regions affected by storms and floods. Of which, VND 2,000 billion is for individual customers, with a maximum interest rate reduction of 2% for six months; the remaining VND 2,000 billion is for corporate customers. For the corporate sector alone, TPBank has arranged VND 800 billion for new loans with a maximum interest rate reduction of 1% for three months; and VND 1,200 billion for existing outstanding loans with a maximum reduction of 2% until March 31, 2026. According to TPBank representative, the interest rate reduction programs are not only to provide financial support but also demonstrate the bank's social responsibility, helping businesses and people strengthen confidence, stabilize production and restore livelihoods.

TNG Vo Nhai Garment Factory in Thai Nguyen is a typical example of the widespread effectiveness of timely credit packages. The factory representative shared that the flood in early October 2025 had severely affected the entire factory, machinery, and raw materials, with a high risk of stopping operations, threatening the lives of nearly 1,800 workers. However, thanks to financial support immediately after the flood receded from the Corporation and local commercial banks through preferential credit packages and policies to extend and reduce interest rates, the factory quickly repaired facilities, replaced damaged equipment, and supplemented raw materials to restore the production line. Up to now, the factory has basically stabilized and promptly met year-end orders.

Practices in many localities show that the more difficult the situation, the more clearly the role of bank credit becomes evident. Where banks intervene early, decisively and flexibly, there are more opportunities for businesses to overcome incidents, minimize losses and quickly stabilize production. From the consistent direction of the State Bank to the specific actions of each commercial bank, it is clear that the banking sector has a spirit of continuous companionship with businesses and people in storm and flood areas. Timely, targeted and practical solutions have contributed to strengthening trust, helping businesses to be more resilient against the increasingly unpredictable impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/von-ngan-hang-kip-thoi-giup-doanh-nghiep-dung-vung-sau-bao-lu-174688.html