MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY MASTER THESIS THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL BANKING: ASIA EXPERIENCE AND LESSONS LEARNED FOR VIETNAM Specialization: International Trade Policy and Law TRAN THI THUY HUONG Hanoi — 2023 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY MASTER THESIS THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL BANKING: ASIA EXPERIENCE AND LESSONS LEARNED FOR VIETNAM Major: International Economics Specialization: Master of International Trade Law and Policy Code: 8310106 Student Name: Tran Thi Thuy Huong Supervis : Dr. Pham Huong Giang Hanoi — 2023 i DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY By signing this document, I, Tran Thi Thuy Huong, certify that this Master's Thesis was written entirely by me. This thesis is entirely truthful in both its content and its findings. Both the main body of this master's thesis as well as the references list contain complete citations for the information, data, and documents that were gathered from various sources for analysis and evaluation.
I further declare that the aforementioned Master's Thesis has not been submitted elsewhere in order to satisfy any other requirements I declare this knowing full well that should it be proven to be untrue, I will lose points and may be subject to disciplinary action Student Tran Thi Thuy Huong ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT To complete this master’s thesis, I have received enthusiastic guidance and support from my lecturers, family, friends, and experts in the field. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my thanks to them. Firstly, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to my supervisor, Dr. Pham Huong Giang who has supported, guided, and encouraged me throughout the process of completing this master's thesis, from selecting the topic, outlining the main ideas, turning those ideas into this thesis to editing this paper.
Without her enthusiastic guidance and support, I would not have been able to complete this master's thesis. Also, I would like to give special thanks to all lecturers of the Master of International Policy and Law Program as well as Foreign Trade University who have given me the chance to expand my humble horizons in the field of trade policy and law, especially Professor Wolfgang Wurmnest, who holds the Chair for Private Law and Commercial Law at the University of Hamburg, for the valuable knowledge and experiences that he’s shared with me. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my dear friends, colleagues, and family, who never cease to support and encourage me as I pursue my master's degree. iii TABLE OF CONTENT DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
ABBREVIATIONS LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES. The rationale of the research. Aims and objectives of the research. Scope of the research.
CHAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BASIS OF DIGITAL BANKIN 1. Overview of digital banking. Definition of digital banking. Evolution of digital banking service.
The key technological advancements and innovations. Factors affecting development of digital banking. The advancement of technology. Customer adoption and trust.
Collaboration and partnerships. Security and regulatory issues. CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 1. Introduction to digital banking in Asia.
Overview of the digital banking landscape in Asia. Digital banking trends and adoption in Asi iv 2. Fintech disruption and innovation 2. Experience of digital banking development in some Asian countries.
National strategies for digital banking development 2. Regulatory Environment for digital banking in different Asia. Experience in breaking down barriers to digital banking development from international banks 2. The digital banking development process from banks.
CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 2. DIGITAL BANKING IN VIETNAM. Technological Infrastructure and digital transformation. Overview of digital banking in Vietnam.
Development environment for digital banking services. Limitations in Vietnam's progress towards digital banking. Human resources participating in digital transformation. Customer information security 3.
Lessons learned for Vietnam in the digital bankin; 3. Solutions to improve the di ital banking in Vietnam.2, Human resource solutions. Solution for data security 3. Some recommendations for policy makers 3.
Future of digital banking CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 3. v ABBREVIATIONS ‘Asian Development Bank Artificial Intelligence ‘Application Programming Interfaces ATM Automated Teller Machine CGAP Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest DFB Digital full bank electronic Know Your Customer General Statistics Office of Vietnam International Business Machines Identity Document - The International Monetary Fund IT Information Technology KYC Know Your Customer Monetary Authority of Singapore Point Of Sale Quick Response Code Return On Equity ‘State Bank of Vietnam vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1: Mobile cellular subscriptions worldwide from 2005 to 2022 (in millions).2: Asia-Pacifie emerging markets are at par on digital banking and lead in the use of fintech apps and e-wallets.3: Countries with the highest percentage of mobile payment users in the world and average annual spending per user (in USD).4: Digital bank capital requirements are not always lower than those for traditional ones (US million).5: Minimum capital requirements (jurisdictions without dedicated digital banking licenses) - US million.1: Statistics on active users of digital banking and the penetration of fintech and e-wallets in Vietnam.---2-2222++222zzrvrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 51 vii LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1: Global internet user count from 2009 to 2022, by region (in millions).2: Banking licensing regulations in some countries.3: Summarize policy on building information infrastructure to support development in some countries.4: Policies to support the development of digital banking in some countries viii ABSTRACT The thesis examines the development and significance of digital banking in Asia and offers analysis and suggestions for Vietnam's digital banking growth. In order to learn the lessons that can be applied to Vietnam's digital banking journey, the thesis focuses on comprehending the elements that have contributed to the success of digital banking in nations like China, Korea, and Singapore. The theoretical foundation and historical context of digital banking are introduced at the outset of the thesis.
The research then delvelops into a thorough examination of the Asian digital banking landscape, looking at the tactics, legislative frameworks, technological developments, consumer acceptance and trust, as well as cooperation and partnerships that have shaped the ecosystem. It investigates how national policies, legislative frameworks, technological developments, consumer acceptance, and cooperative efforts influence the expansion and uptake of digital banking. The thesis also provides a detailed analysis of the lessons learned from the Asian experience and makes specific suggestions for Vietnam's development of digital banking. In order to create an environment that is supportive of digital banking, it emphasizes the significance of coordinating national strategies and regulatory frameworks.
The thesis also emphasizes how important customer adoption, technological advancements, and trust-building initiatives are to the development of digital banking in Vietnam. Overall, the thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of the development of digital banking in Asia and offers valuable insights and recommendations for Vietnam to navigate its digital banking journey. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and stakeholders in Vietnam's banking sector as they strive to leverage digital technologies and innovations to enhance financial services and drive economic growth. The rationale of the research One of the Government of Vietnam's top priorities is the digital transformation of the banking and financial industries.
Many commercial banks today are focused on creating digital banks and rising to the top of the digital banking industry. Many consumers have never set foot inside a physical bank thanks to the power of digital banking. It would seem that digital banking is not just the future, with the ability to access daily banking functions via a computer or mobile device and enable cashless transactions at a variety of retailers. While it may be used in many different ways online and elsewhere, the term digital banking, essentially combines online and mobile banking services under one umbrella (Forbes, 2021).
Digital banking has gained significant prominence in recent years, driven by rapid technological advancements and changing consumer behavior. Asia, as a region, has witnessed remarkable progress in digital banking, with several countries leading the way in adopting innovative financial technologies. Understanding the experiences and lessons learned from these countries can provide valuable insights for Vietnam as it seeks to develop its digital banking sector. Vietnam is experiencing sustained economic growth, and digital banking has the potential to further accelerate this growth by enhancing financial inclusion.
By leveraging digital technologies, financial services can reach previously underserved populations, particularly in rural areas, and provide them with access to banking services, credit, and other financial products. Studying successful digital banking models in Asia can help Vietnam identify effective strategies for expanding financial inclusion and supporting economic development. Assessing the experiences of Asian countries in developing digital banking can shed light on the necessary technological infrastructure required for successful implementation. Factors such as internet penetration rates, mobile device usage, and the availability of digital payment systems play a crucial role in enabling digital banking services.
Vietnam can learn from the experiences of countries in Asia that 2 have successfully built the necessary technology infrastructure to support digital banking. However, the digital transformation of Vietnamese banks also faces many difficulties and challenges. The development of digital banking is closely tied to the regulatory environment and policy framework governing the financial sector. Asian countries have implemented various regulatory approaches to facilitate digital banking while ensuring consumer protection, cybersecurity, and financial stability.
Vietnam can benefit from understanding the regulatory frameworks and policies that have been effective in fostering the growth of digital banking in Asia, enabling it to create a favorable environment for digital banking development while addressing potential risks. Asia offers a diverse range of digital banking models, with different players such as traditional banks, fintech startups, and tech giants actively participating in the market (Basdekis, C. It is essential that banks create electronic banking services given the financial sector's rapid technological development, particularly in Fintech companies, to make management and operation simpler. Using digital banking services also gives customers more flexibility and access to value-added services, which lowers the likelihood of technical difficulties when conducting other types of traditional transactions.
Examining the experiences and lessons learned from these various players can help Vietnam understand the dynamics of the digital banking ecosystem, including strategies for collaboration and competition. This knowledge can assist Vietnamese financial institutions and policymakers in formulating effective strategies to thrive in the evolving digital banking landscape. Researching the development of digital banking in Asia and its lessons for Vietnam is crucial due to the growing importance of digital banking, the potential for economic growth and financial inclusion, the need for robust technology infrastructure, the importance of regulatory frameworks and policies, and the dynamics of the competitive landscape. By understanding these factors, Vietnam 3 can leverage the experiences of Asian countries to formulate strategies and policies that will foster the successful development of its digital banking sector.
Aims and objectives of the research The research aims to analyze the current landscape of digital banking in Asia countries, including technological advancements, adoption rates, and regulatory frameworks, which helps providing a foundation for understanding the context and identifying trends and practices for Vietnam. To achieve this aim, the research includes some objectives, specifically: - Investigate the theoretical framework of digital banking, including exploring the key concepts, factors affecting development of digital banking, and examining the implications of these theoretical frameworks for understanding customer behavior and technology adoption in digital banking. - Analyze the regulatory frameworks and policy considerations that have facilitated the development of digital banking in Asia countries - Identify valuable lessons for Vietnam's digital banking journey and recommendations for policymakers, banks, and fintech players to foster the growth and adoption of digital banking in Vietnam By addressing these aims and objectives, the research can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the development of digital banking in Asia and provide valuable insights and recommendations for Vietnam to shape its digital banking sector effectively 3. Scope of the research The research focuses on the recent past and present developments in digital banking in Asia.
It analyzes trends, innovations, and regulatory changes within the last decade. The research covers various aspects related to the development of digital banking in Asia.