Deputy CEO of VIB: "We aim to empower customers to maximize the value of their cash flow."

As a top retail bank in Vietnam, the International Bank (VIB) relentlessly innovates to provide smart financial solutions, empowering customers to effortlessly and effectively enhance their asset value. Through the Super Interest Account, VIB delivers more than a financial product—it conveys a compelling call to action: don’t let your money stagnate—put it to work generating value.

Following the launch of VIB’s Super Interest Account, featuring exceptional benefits that have drawn widespread attention in the banking and financial sector and sparked enthusiasm from tens of thousands of customers, we spoke with Mr. Hồ Vân Long, Deputy General Director and Head of VIB’s Retail Banking Division. Our conversation delved into the account’s importance, VIB’s role in transforming personal finance perspectives, and its efforts to solidify its leadership in retail banking.

Q: How do you assess the role of personal finance in creating value for the economy?

Mr. Hồ Vân Long: Personal finance is not merely an individual matter—it has far-reaching impacts on the broader economy. When cash flow in society is managed effectively, it generates added value, boosting investment, consumption, and production.

In reality, a significant portion of the economy’s total money supply sits idle in payment accounts, yielding no returns. This represents a substantial financial waste. If this cash flow is harnessed intelligently, not only do individuals benefit, but the entire economic system becomes more dynamic. As more people learn to leverage their financial assets, aggregate demand rises, capital circulates more efficiently, and this creates a positive ripple effect across the economy.

Beyond delivering exceptional benefits to customers with short-term idle funds, we estimate that once the Super Interest Account reaches its target scale, VIB could reduce its cost of capital by up to 10%. This, in turn, would lower lending rates, bringing tangible benefits to customers. Coupled with the rollout of this product on the MyVIB digital banking platform, this initiative aligns with the Government and the State Bank of Vietnam’s call for banks to drive green economic growth, circular economy principles, digital transformation, and innovation.

Therefore, we aim to offer a personal finance solution that shifts customers’ mindsets—from passively holding idle money to actively optimizing the value of their cash flow.

Q: In your opinion, why does the market need a new standard in managing personal cash flow, and what is it?

Mr. Hồ Vân Long: Customers’ financial behaviors are evolving rapidly, particularly in how they manage idle cash flow. Through extensive surveys and research, we’ve identified a clear trend: customers tend to keep short-term funds in payment accounts to meet daily transaction needs. Millions of VIB customers are using their accounts in this way, with holding periods varying widely—some keep funds for just a few days, a week, or a few weeks, depending on their monthly spending plans.

Additionally, younger customers are increasingly vocal about their need for a flexible financial tool that not only helps them manage cash flow efficiently but also ensures optimal returns on their account balances. They seek a solution that isn’t restrictive yet still generates profit from idle funds.

Alongside the rapid rise of digital banking, the way customers engage with financial products is also shifting. They expect simple, smart, user-friendly solutions that can be managed directly on digital platforms without complex processes.

At VIB, we pursue a core philosophy: customers don’t just need a bank to store their money—they need a bank that unlocks the full potential of their cash flow. That’s why we developed and launched the Super Interest Account, designed to maximize returns with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface on MyVIB. This empowers customers to rethink how they manage their cash flow, ensuring their idle funds never "sleep."

Q: How do you evaluate the potential of the Super Interest Account to change financial habits and mindsets regarding idle money management?

Mr. Hồ Vân Long: The Super Interest Account from VIB is not just a financial product—it’s a strategic step toward transforming how customers think about managing idle cash flow. Previously, most customers had a habit of keeping money in payment accounts without optimizing returns or hesitated to invest due to concerns about losing flexibility. We aim to shift that mindset.

With the Super Interest Account, VIB offers a simple yet groundbreaking solution: even a single day of idle funds can generate profit. We’ve studied the market, carefully assessed the needs of different customer segments, and introduced one of the best yield rates available today, ranging from 2.5% to 4.3% per year. Crucially, customers retain full flexibility to withdraw funds at any time without affecting accumulated returns—this is the key differentiator that sets VIB’s product apart in reshaping financial habits.

Beyond optimal yields, we’ve prioritized simplicity and user-friendliness, ensuring a seamless and highly efficient customer experience. With just a few taps on MyVIB, customers can activate their account, monitor balances, and calculate profits clearly and transparently—something not every financial product can deliver.

More importantly, the Super Interest Account is more than just a savings tool; it’s built on cutting-edge financial technology. This enables the system to deeply analyze financial behaviors, personalize experiences, and provide tailored recommendations for each customer. This core advantage keeps VIB at the forefront of digital finance trends.

We believe that when customers see their money “working” every day, they’ll gradually shift from passively holding funds to managing their finances proactively and strategically. This aligns with VIB’s mission: to awaken idle cash flow, help customers sustainably grow their wealth, and establish a new benchmark in personal finance management.

Q: Why does VIB believe this is the right time to redefine this standard?

Mr. Hồ Vân Long: The Super Interest Account is a branch of our Smart Deposit product suite. Four years ago, we launched a few products with similar features on a smaller scale—pioneering ideas in the market that delivered exceptional benefits to customers with short-term idle funds seeking more attractive returns than traditional deposits. The Super Interest Account builds on this smart deposit trend. While customers once accepted leaving money idle in accounts without profit, they now demand more—not just higher interest rates, but also flexibility, control, and efficiency in managing their personal finances.

This shift isn’t random; it stems from three key factors.

First, customers’ financial needs are growing. They no longer focus solely on interest rates; they prioritize control and transparency in their transactions. A strong financial product must not only offer high yields but also enable flexible money use, free from restrictions, while delivering a modern digital experience. This is why new financial products must evolve to meet customers’ rising expectations.

Second, the rapid advancement of financial technology has revolutionized money management. Previously, tracking cash flow in real time or calculating returns per transaction was challenging. Now, with cutting-edge digital platforms, VIB can provide a seamless financial experience, allowing customers to optimize their cash flow instantly and make the most of every dollar they hold.

Finally, the financial market is entering an era of quality-driven competition. Banks can’t rely solely on racing for higher interest rates—they must create real value for customers. We believe that in this new landscape, the bank that most effectively helps customers optimize their personal finances will lead the market.

With the Super Interest Account, VIB isn’t just introducing a pioneering financial product with the mission to “awaken idle cash flow”—turning dormant funds into profit opportunities. We’re also inspiring customers to unlock their financial potential together, maximize every cent, and build a prosperous future.

Q: Market interest rates have recently shown signs of rising again—will this affect the appeal of the Super Interest Account?

Mr. Hồ Vân Long: Every financial product is influenced by market fluctuations, but the Super Interest Account has a distinct advantage: it offers both strong returns and transactional flexibility.

While other investment channels may provide higher profits, they often come with risks or require long-term commitments. In contrast, the Super Interest Account allows customers to optimize their finances while maintaining the flexibility to spend whenever necessary.

Q: So, when market interest rates change, what strategies does VIB have to ensure customers still benefit long-term from the Super Interest Account?

Mr. Hồ Vân Long: Interest rates are only part of the story. A financial product that relies solely on interest rates struggles to remain sustainable. We view this as a long-term strategy, not a short-lived trend. As a leading retail bank in Vietnam, VIB is committed to providing customers with absolute peace of mind in managing their idle cash flow, ensuring long-term benefits through three core pillars.

First and foremost, a strong and secure financial foundation is the top priority. VIB is a major bank with efficient, transparent operations, consistently ranked highly by reputable international organizations for financial strength. It is also among the few commercial banks to receive the highest ratings from the State Bank of Vietnam. This ensures that customers’ deposits remain safe and well-managed, even amid fluctuating market interest rates.

A sustainable operating model plays a crucial role. We optimize operational costs while heavily investing in technology to build a smart account management system. This enables the bank to maintain attractive yield rates for customers.

Finally, an exceptional customer experience and effortless cash flow control set us apart. With a modern interface on the MyVIB app, customers can easily track daily balances and profits, manage withdrawals flexibly while still enjoying high returns, and oversee their cash flow intelligently without worrying about restrictive conditions.

We believe that with a robust financial foundation, a sustainable operating model, and advanced technology, VIB not only delivers financial benefits but also helps customers build effective, sustainable, and secure money management habits for the long haul.

Q: In what direction will VIB continue to develop financial solutions for individual customers, sir?

Mr. Hồ Vân Long: At VIB, we always place customers at the heart of every strategy, guided by two major goals: leading the trend of smart personal finance and building a comprehensive, optimized financial ecosystem.

In pursuit of leading smart personal finance trends, every VIB product is designed to empower customers to manage their finances proactively, efficiently, and intelligently. Beyond offering financial products, we aim to inspire a shift in financial mindsets for every customer and every Vietnamese user: “Don’t let money sit idle—let it work and generate returns every day.”

As for building a comprehensive and optimized financial ecosystem, the Super Interest Account is a key component. VIB will continue to expand solutions for savings, investment, and financial management, enabling customers to fully leverage their idle cash flow and seamlessly diversify their assets within the bank’s ecosystem.

VIB is more than just a bank—we aspire to be a trusted financial partner, helping customers achieve their goals, secure a solid future, and take control of their financial lives.

Interviewer: Thank you for your insightful sharing, sir!

Source: VIB