In the past years, this source of preferential loans had reached all villages and hamlets in Hoa Binh province, basically meeting local poor households’ demand for capital. The financial assistance was mostly invested in animal husbandry, afforestation, and citrus fruit cultivation, helping improve the group’s livelihoods and living standards while changing their methods of doing business.

 According to the VBSP, as of the end of February, more than 10.5 billion VND had been lent to 296 customers under the programme, while the bank collected a total debt payment of over 15 billion VND. Outstanding debt balance surpassed 917 billion VND with 31,605 customers.

The programme has so far helped needy households earn better incomes and reduce poverty.