Vietnam's banks are opening the vault: nearly $7 billion in share sales

Vietnamese lenders plan nearly $7 billion in share sales by the end of 2027 — likely the biggest capital-raising wave in the country's banking history, according to Fitch. The economy grew nearly 10% last quarter, three banks won permission to raise foreign ownership caps to 49% from 30%, and index provider FTSE Russell upgraded Vietnam to emerging-market status last month. Japan's SMBC is lifting its stake in VPBank to 20% in a $560 million placement; Vietcombank and BIDV are selling stakes worth about $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion.