HLB Partners with So Ban Hang to Revolutionise Financial Management for Vietnamese MSMEs
Hong Leong Bank Partners with So Ban Hang to Revolutionise Financial Management for Vietnamese MSMEs
From Left: Fred Lim, Chief Digital Commercialisation Officer, HLB; Barry Do, Head of Marketing and Digital Banking, HLB Vietnam; Duong Duc Hung, General Director, HLB Vietnam; Bui Hai Nam, CEO of So Ban Hang; Bui Hai Long, Chief Product Officer, So Ban Hang, and Do Duy Hai, Chief Marketing Officer of So Ban Hang.
KUALA LUMPUR, 23 OCTOBER 2025 - In conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, Hong Leong Bank (“HLB” or the “Bank”) has announced a strategic partnership with So Ban Hang, Vietnam’s leading business management app. As a regional bank with a presence across the ASEAN region, and the first Malaysian bank to operate in Vietnam, HLB looks to empower Vietnam's young entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises ("MSMEs"), helping them not just to run their businesses, but to build lasting wealth.
Staying true to its Digital Bank Plus Much More proposition, the Bank together with So Ban Hang will provide MSMEs with a comprehensive, all-in-one financial management solution, integrating financial transactions, financing, and business banking solutions seamlessly into a single digital platform. The solution offers critical features directly within the So Ban Hang app, including in-app HLB account opening, automatic accounting and record-keeping, tax-compliant QR payments, and instant e-invoice issuances, all designed to efficiently support entrepreneurs with their financial management needs.
This integrated solution is timely, especially with the impending tax reform in Vietnam. MSMEs can instantly gain access to tools designed to ensure compliance with new regulations and simplify complex record-keeping. By streamlining financial management, the platform allows entrepreneurs to focus on their core business without worrying about the complexity of the new tax laws.
"As a Bank built on a deep-rooted entrepreneurial heritage and a solid track record of supporting small businesses, we are uniquely attuned to the diverse needs and challenges of entrepreneurs across the ASEAN region,” said Kevin Lam, Group Managing Director and CEO of HLB. “Our Vietnam operations have recorded significant growth momentum in recent years, and we look forward to expanding our retail product offerings and enhancing our digital banking platform to further serve this dynamic market.”
Vietnam's economic landscape is profoundly shaped by its vibrant MSME sector, with entrepreneurship deeply embedded in the cultural fabric and a strong ecosystem of small businesses. This segment forms the backbone of the economy. According to data from the Asia SME Monitor, MSMEs accounted for over 97% of all enterprises and around 59% of total employment in Vietnam in 2022. It is a nation of family-run businesses and innovators, where every corner holds a story of dedication and a dream to build something of their own - a dream not unlike that of Malaysians.
According to Fred Lim, HLB’s Chief Digital Commercialization Officer, this partnership with So Ban Hang presents a unique opportunity for HLB to showcase its forward-looking ethos of embedding financial services within digital ecosystems.
“We are proud to launch Vietnam’s first embedded financing initiative with So Ban Hang, an occasion made even more special by launching it on Vietnam Entrepreneur’s Day. This partnership is a milestone in resolving the core challenges facing our MSMEs customers. By integrating credit, tax and accounting services into one seamless platform, entrepreneurs can manage financing and compliance with a single action. This groundbreaking solution showcases HLB’s commitment to innovation, and is a visionary model of how we can harness technology and data to serve customers better in today’s digital economy.”
Bùi Hải Nam, CEO of So Ban Hang, added, "So Ban Hang’s mission is to make it easier for small businesses to run and grow. Together with HLB, we are creating an all-in-one solution to manage business, from sales, QR payments, accounting, and tax to modern banking, all seamlessly integrated into one smartphone app. More importantly, we are bringing small businesses a simple, worry-free, and cost-saving way to operate, so every shop owner can focus on growing with confidence in these exciting yet challenging times.”