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After nine years of operation, BIDV-SuMi TRUST Leasing Co., Ltd. (BSL) has gradually strengthened its operational foundation and risk management framework, while adopting a prudent growth strategy amid ongoing volatility in the macroeconomic environment, geopolitics, and global financial markets. This period has also posed increasing challenges for financial institutions in terms of funding costs, risk governance, and competitive pressure in the market.

Building an Operational Foundation and Risk Control Amid Market Volatility

Established as a joint venture between two financial institutions from Vietnam and Japan, BSL has chosen a cautious approach, prioritizing asset quality and management capability over rapid expansion in scale.

According to updated figures as of April 2026, BSL’s total financial leasing outstanding balance reached VND 6,989 billion, up 23.68% year-on-year. Over the past five years, BSL has maintained stable growth with an average annual growth rate of 26.45%. Its customer portfolio has expanded to nearly 1,200 enterprises operating mainly in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and supporting industries. The non-performing loan ratio has been maintained below 2%, reflecting the company’s prudence in credit appraisal and risk management.

Against the backdrop of continued global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, the financial and credit markets are also facing mounting pressure from interest rates, exchange rates, and capital costs. This creates significant challenges for financial leasing companies, not only in achieving growth but also in managing balance sheet structure risks and leased asset risks — both distinctive characteristics of the industry. The value of leased assets, technology life cycles, and liquidation capabilities are increasingly becoming critical variables in the credit approval process.

Mr. Nguyễn Thiều Sơn, Chief Executive Officer of BSL, commented: “In a volatile market environment, strengthening internal capabilities is not only an immediate requirement but also a long-term strategic priority. Appraisal capability and risk management are no longer merely competitive advantages, but fundamental pillars that enable businesses to maintain stability and enhance adaptability to changing market conditions.”

On that basis, BSL has focused on building its operational platform around three core pillars: strong financial capacity, a robust risk management system, and high-quality human resources. Rather than prioritizing short-term growth targets, the company has concentrated on standardizing processes and controlling risks throughout the entire lifecycle of leased assets.

Staying Committed to a Growth Strategy Integrated with Risk Management

In Vietnam, financial leasing still accounts for only a modest proportion of total credit outstanding, indicating significant room for further development, especially as demand for machinery and equipment investment among enterprises — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises — continues to rise. However, this also comes with increasingly intense competition, not only among financial leasing companies but also from other capital providers. The ability to develop industry-specific financial solutions, along with effective asset management capabilities, is becoming a key differentiator in the market.

The market is also witnessing growing demand for flexible financing solutions, in which financial leasing holds advantages thanks to its ability to finance a high percentage of asset value and align repayments with enterprises’ operating cash flows. In addition, trends such as supply chain relocation, increasing manufacturing investment, and the push toward greener operations are opening up new opportunities for the industry.

In 2026, BSL targets an annual outstanding balance growth rate of 22.6%, while continuing to tightly control credit quality. Priority sectors include construction, transportation, manufacturing, supporting industries, and sustainable development projects such as renewable energy.

Mr. Takahashi Satoshi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BSL, stated: “We do not pursue growth at all costs, but instead aim to balance scale and quality. Remaining committed to a sustainable development strategy will help BSL create long-term value for customers and the market.”

According to BSL representatives, amid intensifying competition, the advantage of financial leasing companies will no longer lie solely in capital scale, but also in their ability to provide industry-tailored financial solutions and accompany customers throughout the entire project lifecycle. This also reflects the broader trend of the financial leasing market, where companies are evolving beyond the role of capital providers to become flexible financial partners supporting the sustainable growth of both customers and the market.

BSL continues to strengthen its internal foundation and develop its workforce toward sustainable growth objectives.

After nearly a decade of operation, BSL is entering a new stage of development, supported by internal capabilities accumulated through practical experience. As macroeconomic conditions and financial markets continue to face unpredictable fluctuations, the importance of risk governance, adaptability, and growth quality is becoming increasingly prominent. Maintaining a prudent growth strategy closely tied to risk control is considered an appropriate direction for BSL to further expand its sustainable development potential in the years ahead.

Thao Nguyen