HÀ NỘI —  Malaysia’s Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has announced a strategic partnership with So Ban Hang, a Vietnamese technology platform that supports individual business households and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in managing their operations.

Under the agreement, HLB will introduce an integrated financial solution embedded directly within the So Ban Hang app. The solution enables users to open online bank accounts, conduct transactions, access credit services, make tax-compliant QR payments, issue e-invoices, and perform automated accounting tasks — all within a single unified platform designed to streamline operations and save time.

The partnership comes as Việt Nam strengthens tax policies and promotes greater financial transparency among businesses. The integrated financial–accounting solution aims to help small businesses adapt to regulatory changes, particularly in recordkeeping and compliance.

According to Duong Duc Hung, CEO of Hong Leong Bank Vietnam, the bank has extensive experience supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and understands their diverse needs and challenges. He added that HLB will continue to expand its product portfolio and enhance its digital banking capabilities to better serve this dynamic market.

Hong Leong Bank’s strategy in Vietnam aligns with its parent bank’s long-standing focus on supporting MSMEs in Malaysia, where the bank has repeatedly been recognised by international organisations such as Euromoney, The Asian Banker, and Asian Banking & Finance as the country’s best SME bank.

In Vietnam, SMEs account for roughly 98 per cent of all operating businesses and play a vital role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering innovation. They also serve as a bridge for translating scientific and technological research into real-world applications.

Fred Lim, Chief Digital Commercialisation Officer at Hong Leong Bank, said the collaboration marks an important milestone in addressing the challenges faced by small businesses, adding that it reflects the bank’s commitment to digital innovation and customer-centric solutions in the digital economy.

Bui Hai Nam, Founder and CEO of So Ban Hang, said the partnership aims to simplify operational tools for business households, making it easier for them to access digital banking services amid an increasingly competitive and fast-changing business environment. — VNS