LEGAL UPDATE RELATING TO FINANCE AND CREDIT (MONTHLY LEGAL UPDATE – 08&09/2024)

1.       LEGAL DOCUMENTS ARE EFFECTIVE IN 08&09/2024

1.1. Circular No. 08/2024/TT-NHNN regulations on the management, operation and use of the National Interbank Electronic Payment System

• Name of legal document: Circular No. 08/2024/TT-NHNN issued on 25/06/2024 by the State Bank of Vietnam regulations on the management, operation and use of the National Interbank Electronic Payment System (referred to as the “Circular No. 08/2024/TT-NHNN”).
• Effective date: 15/08/2024.

The content should be noted: Stipulating on issuance, management and use of electronic signature certificates and electronic signatures participating in the National Interbank Electronic Payment System.

Specifically, Article 8 of Circular No. 08/2024/TT-NHNN stipulates: “Article 8. Issuance, management and use of electronic signature certificates and electronic signatures participating in the National Interbank Electronic Payment System

1. Electronic signatures are divided into 3 types:a) Electronic signature of the person making the order;b) Electronic signature of the person controlling the order;c) Electronic signature of the person approving the order.
2. The organization of decentralization of order makers, order controllers and order approvers at members and member units is regulated by the unit’s competent person, ensuring the principle that the person making the order, the person controlling the order, and the person approving the order are independent.
3. The State Bank issues an electronic signature certificate to the the person approving the order and an electronic signature certificate to authenticate the connection (connection certificate) between the software installed at member units and member units with the National Processing Center.
4. The issuance, management, and use of electronic signature certificates for the person approving the order and electronic signature certificates to authenticate connection to participate in the National Interbank Electronic Payment System shall comply with the regulations of the State Bank.”

1.2. Circular No. 32/2024/TT-NHNN operational network of commercial banks

• Name of legal document: Circular No. 32/2024/TT-NHNN issued on 30/06/2024 by the State Bank of Vietnam operational network of commercial banks (referred to as the “Circular No. 30/2024/TT-NHNN”).
• Effective date: 15/08/2024.

The content should be noted: Stipulating on permissible number of branches.

Specifically, Article 7, 8 of Circular No. 32/2024/TT-NHNN stipulates:

“Article 7. Formula for determining maximum permissible number of branches and transaction offices

1. The number of branches and transaction offices of a commercial bank may establish shall be determined using the formula below:

300 billion VND x N1 + 100 billion VND x M1 + 50 billion VND x N2 + 20 billion VND x M2 < C

Where:

– C is the real value of the charter capital of the commercial bank according to Point a Clause 1 Article 6 or Point a Clause 2 Article 6 of this Circular.

– N1 is the number of branches established and pending approval for establishment in the urban areas of Hanoi City and Ho Chi Minh City.

– N2 is the number of branches established and pending approval for establishment in the suburban areas of Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, and provinces and centrally affiliated cities.

– M1 is the number of transaction offices established and pending approval for establishment in the urban areas of Hanoi City and Ho Chi Minh City.

– M2 is the number of transaction offices established or pending approval for establishment in the suburban areas of Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, and provinces and centrally affiliated cities.

2. The determination of the locations of branches and transaction offices established and pending approval for establishment in areas prescribed in Points N1, N2, M1, and M2 in Clause 1 of this Article shall be based on the administrative boundary areas at the time of the request and the time of the approval.”

“Article 8. Maximum permissible number of branches

Aside from meeting the requirements prescribed in Article 7 of this Circular, commercial banks shall also meet the following requirements:

A commercial bank may establish up to 10 branches in each urban area of Hanoi City or Ho Chi Minh City.

A commercial bank operating for less than 12 months from its opening date to the time of the request may establish no more than 3 branches. Such branches shall not be established in the same province or centrally affiliated city in a fiscal year.

A commercial bank operating for 12 months or more from its opening date to the time of the request may establish no more than 5 branches. The number of branches in rural areas shall account for at least 50% of the total branches established in a fiscal year.

Aside from the quantity prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, commercial banks that have completed the procedure for voluntary termination of branches in urban areas of Hanoi City or Ho Chi Minh City may establish a number of branches equivalent to the number of terminated branches in other provinces and centrally affiliated cities.”

1.3. Decision No. 1640/QĐ-NHNN on the announcement of newly issued, amended and supplemented administrative procedures in the field of bank establishment and operation performed at the One-stop Department under the management scope of the State Bank of Vietnam

• Name of legal document: Decision No. 1640/QĐ-NHNN issued on 26/07/2024 by the State Bank of Vietnam on the announcement of newly issued, amended and supplemented administrative procedures in the field of bank establishment and operation performed at the One-stop Department under the management scope of the State Bank of Vietnam (referred to as the “Decision No. 1640/QĐ-NHNN”).
• Effective date: 15/08/2024.

The content should be noted: Stipulating on newly issued, amended, supplemented and replaced administrative procedures in the field of banking establishment and operation under the management scope of the State Bank of Vietnam.

Specifically, Decision No. 1640/QĐ-NHNN stipulates:

“NEWLY ISSUED, AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED, REPLACED ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES IN THE FIELD OF ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF BANKS UNDER THE MANAGEMENT FUNCTION OF THE STATE BANK OF VIETNAM

(Issued with Decision 1640/QD-NHNN dated July 26, 2024 of the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam)

PART I.

LIST OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

1. List of newly issued administrative procedures implemented at the One-stop Department under the scope and management function of the State Bank of Vietnam

2. List of administrative procedures amended and supplemented within the scope of management functions of the State Bank

3. List of alternative administrative procedures under the management scope of the State Bank of Vietnam

”