Ho Chi Minh City-headquartered Nam A Bank has secured another US$40 million funding package from BlueOrchard, expanding its partnership with the Swiss impact investor.

The new capital will enable the Vietnamese private lender to provide critical credit to small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) across the Southeast Asian nation.

The commercial bank has received US$20 million as the first tranche of the package. This capital injection aims to promote comprehensive financing for the SME sector, which serves as a primary engine of Vietnam’s ongoing economic momentum. By focusing on these enterprises, the bank aims to facilitate broader production, trade, and infrastructure development.

The long-term collaboration with BlueOrchard, a member of the Schroders Group, continues to yield results. To date, the Swiss fund has committed US$80 million to invest in Nam A Bank. The partnership goes beyond simple liquidity by prioritizing social impact and environmental sustainability. Notably, the cooperation also focuses on enhancing access to credit for women-owned businesses and groups vulnerable to climate change.

The momentum of this partnership is set to continue. The parties look to finalize another US$20 million deal in the second quarter of this year, bringing the total investment amount to US$100 million.

This foreign capital inflow aligns with the strategic mandates approved at Nam A Bank’s annual general meeting on March 30. A pillar of the bank’s current strategy is expanding its presence within the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City ( VIFC-HCMC ).

The bank was awarded a strategic member certificate during the VIFC-HCMC launch on February 11, highlighting its role in the southern megacity’s evolution into a regional financial hub.

The timing of BlueOrchard’s latest investment coincides with a surge in Ho Chi Minh City’s global financial standing. In the latest Global Financial Centres Index ( GFCI 39 ) announced last month by London-based Z/Yen and the China Development Institute, the city climbed 11 spots to rank 84th out of 120 global financial centres.

Within the Asean region, Ho Chi Minh City now ranks third, trailing only Singapore and Kuala Lumpur while overtaking other major hubs like Bangkok and Jakarta. This improved standing highlights the city’s success in upgrading its business environment and strengthening its connectivity to international markets, providing a favourable backdrop for Nam A Bank’s continued expansion.