HÀ NỘI — MB (Military Bank) is expanding its services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) beyond traditional banking, combining financial solutions with business networking opportunities through its SME Premier programme.

The bank hosted PPA SME CEO MEET 2026 – The Champs Meet The Champs in Hà Nội on Tuesday, bringing together international pickleball players and business leaders. The event followed MB’s “Top 1 Meets Top 1” programme in March, featuring world No. 1 women’s pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters.

MB said the initiatives reflect its broader approach to supporting SME customers through financing, digital banking, business connections and tailored benefits.

The bank provides lending, payment, cash-flow management and operational solutions through its BIZ MBBank digital banking platform. From October 21, 2026, it has offered interest rate reductions of 1.5–2 percentage points per year on new disbursements in five priority sectors, subject to programme conditions.

MB also aims to help SMEs find customers, suppliers and partners through its network of more than 400,000 SME customers and relationships with larger companies.

At the event, international pickleball player Hayden Patriquin, known as “Big H”, joined SME chief executives for sporting activities and networking.

“Speed isn’t just about moving fast. It’s about seeing an opportunity, trusting your instincts, making a decision and committing to it with confidence,” Patriquin said, drawing a parallel between competitive sport and entrepreneurship.

He also highlighted the importance of partnerships in both fields.

“You can’t win alone. You need a great partner. You need trust, communication and the ability to bring out the best in each other,” he said.

The programme featured Pro-Am matches, meet-and-greet sessions, CEO networking and business matching. It was expected to attract around 500 guests, including 150 SME chief executives who are MB customers, bank representatives, partners and media organisations.

MB’s SME Premier programme is built around three priorities: accelerating business operations, supporting growth and expanding connections. Benefits include preferential lending, digital banking, corporate cards, brand communication support and networking opportunities.

Eligible customers attending the event could access a package of benefits with a projected total value of up to VNĐ220 million, including international experiences, business communication support and financial and non-financial incentives, subject to programme terms.

MB said it would continue developing trade-matching activities, industry networking events and supply-chain partnerships to help SMEs reach new markets and participate more deeply in the value chains of larger companies.

Businesses can find details of SME Premier benefits and the PPA SME CEO MEET 2026 programme on MB’s official website or at its branches nationwide. — VNS