SeABank’s sustainable excellence affirmed with 2 Vietnam Outstanding Banking Awards

Solidified standing as an ‘Outstanding Vietnamese Bank’

The Vietnam Outstanding Banking Awards (VOBA) is an annual award organized by International Data Group (IDG) under the auspices of the Vietnam Banks Association (VNBA) to honor banks with outstanding achievements and significant contributions to economic development.

VOBA 2025 evaluates banks based on user and corporate surveys as well as rigorous criteria. Out of 7 banking categories at VOBA 2025, SeABank won 2 awards: ‘Outstanding Bank for Green Credit’ (for the 1st time), ‘Outstanding Bank for the Community’ (for the 4th time).

This achievement recognizes the effectiveness of SeABank’s sustainability strategy centered on Environmental - Social - Governance (ESG). Ms. Le Thu Thuy (Vice Chairwoman of SeABank’s BOD) shared the Bank’s sustainable vision: “SeABank believes that sustainable banking is closely aligned with the responsibility of creating a prosperous, happy community and a green future. We are committed to responsible capital allocation and managing the impacts of our business, while actively driving green transformation, spreading green and humanistic values to the community”.

Responsible business for community prosperity

Pursuing its community responsibilities, SeABank has “greened” its investment and lending portfolio, channeling capital into environmentally friendly sectors. Accordingly, the Bank has issued policies such as Green Credit Policy, financing policies for high-tech agriculture and renewable energy projects, etc. By the end of 2024, SeABank’s total funds for green credit exceeded VND3,800 billion, focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

In parallel, SeABank has reduced its “brown” exposure through its Environmental and Social Risk Management System (ESMS). Fully implemented in all credit operations since January 2022, the system ensures no financing is granted to harmful projects such as forest exploitation, coal, or radioactive materials. After 3 years of implementation, 100% of credit facilities (excluding consumer loans and credit cards) have been screened and assessed for environmental and social risks. Accordingly, projects on the exclusion list or those with high risks without remediation measures are rejected, while projects with mitigable risks are accompanied and closely monitored by SeABank.

In 2024, SeABank issued Vietnam’s first blue bond and the first green bond by a private joint stock commercial bank, with a total value of US$150 million, expanding funding for sustainable projects. The Bank has also broadened its international cooperation, mobilizing nearly US$1.1 billion from major institutions such as IFC, DFC, AIIB and Norfund to promote climate finance and financial inclusion, with a particular focus on supporting women customers, household businesses and SMEs — for a greener and more prosperous future. 

Spreading values for a greener, happier community

SeABank’s corporate social responsibility has gone beyond business activities. Further, the Bank fostered a green and humane corporate culture, thereby spreading across the community.

SeABank has comprehensively ‘greened’ its operations and fostered internal environmental awareness. Smart building technologies, energy-saving and optimization, pollution control initiatives have been implemented in parallel with the ‘Digital Convergence’ - comprehensive digitalization strategy. In addition, various awareness-raising initiatives have been launched, such as waste-for-gifts exchange program, ‘Green the Road to SeABank’ - encouraging green commuting to office, ‘Ocean Cleanup’ - coastal clean-up, ‘SeAHero’ - waste collection and sorting, gifting eco gifts. By the end of 2024, SeABank’s Scope 2 indirect emissions have been reduced by 11.4%, paper consumption at Headoffice decreased by 1.45% compared to 2023.

To widely spread community values, SeABank maintains 4 internal funds: SeADreams Scholarship Fund, SeAGreen Environmental Fund, SeALove Protection Fund, and SeASmile Charity Fund. With the support of nearly 5,300 employees, approximately VND250 billion has been contributed, nearly 360,000 trees planted, over VND80 billion allocated to build and repair more than 1,800 houses, and more than 200 children given the opportunity to continue school.

SeABank’s ‘Community’ efforts have been recognized with numerous prestigious domestic and international awards, including the Vietnam ESG Awards (Dan Tri Newspaper), Top 10 Corporate Governance (Mid-cap) and Top 10 Outstanding Annual Reports (Financial Sector) at VLCA, Sustainable Business Award (VCCI), Gender Equality in the Marketplace category at the UN WEPs Award 2024 (UN Women). The Bank’s ‘double win’ at VOBA 2025 marks a new milestone in SeABank’s steadfast journey, highlighting its advancements in green credit and socio-environmental welfare, while serving as a driving force for the Bank to continue creating and spreading value towards a greener future and a prosperous, happy community.