TITLE: Vietnam's State Bank Publishes Amended Circular on Banking Document Retention Requirements
BODY:
On July 23, 2026, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) published a press release announcing the issuance of an amended circular modifying provisions of Circular 04/2025/TT-NHNN dated May 15, 2025. The original circular established retention requirements for banking sector records and documents.
The amended circular updates specific provisions within the original framework governing how credit institutions, branches of foreign banks, and other banking sector entities must maintain and store official documentation. These requirements form part of Vietnam's broader regulatory framework for banking operations and administrative compliance.
The circular applies to all credit institutions operating in Vietnam, including state-owned commercial banks, joint-stock commercial banks, wholly foreign-owned banks, joint-venture banks, policy banks, cooperative banks, non-bank financial institutions, microfinance organisations, and foreign bank branches. The retention standards ensure consistency across the banking sector and support regulatory oversight and audit functions.
Document retention requirements are critical for banking supervision, as they enable the SBV to conduct examinations, verify compliance with regulations, and investigate potential violations. The amendments reflect adjustments to operational procedures or clarifications of existing retention periods for specific document categories.
Banking institutions must review the amended circular to ensure their document management systems comply with updated retention schedules. Institutions should assess their current record-keeping practices and implement any necessary changes to align with the new requirements. The SBV will enforce compliance through regular supervisory activities and examinations of banking institutions.