The soft loans have been provided by a VBSP network of more than 2,300 village-based Savings and Credit Groups, enabling borrowers to enjoy a more convenient, faster and cost-efficient services and less travel time. 

The VBSP Yen Bai branch has signed entrusted agreements with four provincial socio-political organisations – Women’s Union, Farmers’ Union, Veterans’ Association, and Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Yen Bai.

As of August 31, 2022, over 4 trillion VND (169 million USD) in soft loans has been granted through these organisations and groups, accounting for 99.5% of the VBSP Yen Bai Branch’s total outstanding loans. The figure includes close to 1.06 trillion VND provided via the Farmers’ Union (26.4%), over 1.3 trillion VND through the Women’s Union (32.6%), and about 898 billion through the Veterans’ Association (22.5%).

The socio-political organisations have closely coordinated with the VBSP to improve service quality of the Savings and Credit Groups, monitor and inspect their operation, and provide them with professional training.

The provincial VBSP has organised 125 training courses for more than 6,500 staff of the socio-political organisations and the Savings and Credit Groups, members of poverty reduction committees and village heads, in order to strengthen their capacity and teach them how to effectively manage the credit sources. 

Borrowers have also benefited from training courses on horticulture and husbandry techniques held by the socio-political organisations. The provincial Women’s Union and Farmers’ Union have hosted 55 and 173 courses, respectively, for a total of nearly 8,000 people who are members of the unions and the Savings and Credit Groups.

Entrusted lending has served as a bridge between social policy credit and needy people, helping them escape poverty and expand production.