Finance
Personal finance planning vital yet neglected in Việt Nam: forum
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Dr Lê Minh Nghĩa, chairman of Việt Nam Financial Consultants Association, speaks at the forum on developing the personal finance market in Việt Nam organised late last week in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo |
HCM CITY — Việt Nam’s personal finance market is facing challenges, primarily stemming from a lack of financial literacy and limited access to educational resources, experts said.
Dr Lê Minh Nghĩa, chairman of Việt Nam Financial Consultants Association (VFCA), highlighted the challenges during a forum on developing the personal finance market in Việt Nam organised late last week in HCM City.
The problems faced by individuals in securing their financial future and achieving their financial goals have been exacerbated by unreliable and shallow resources on personal finance available on the Internet, he said.
Findings from a survey conducted recently in Hà Nội further supported these concerns, with over 80 per cent of respondents admitting to having little interest and knowledge in personal finance.
As a result, individuals are ill-equipped to make informed financial decisions, lacking essential knowledge in budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt, he added.
Consequently, people fail to set aside funds for emergencies, secure effective retirement plans, or accumulate wealth sustainably, according to Nghĩa.
The lack of financial literacy also leaves individuals vulnerable to financial fraud and misconduct, he warned.
“Without a solid understanding of financial concepts and practices, there is an increased risk of falling into the clutches of loan sharks or making premature withdrawals of social security benefits, he said.
“Individuals may also struggle to differentiate between various financial products, such as bank savings and corporate bond purchases or flexible savings products and life insurance products, leading to poor investment decisions,” he noted.
Financial education
Cấn Văn Lực, a member of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council, said personal finance planning remains limited as debt management ability, understanding, and knowledge of personal financial planning need improvement.
Lực proposed enhancing financial education such as to include financial education in school curricula and develop targeted programmes for adults, such as workshops, seminars, and online platforms.
These initiatives would provide individuals with practical knowledge and skills to effectively manage their personal finances, he said.
In addition, the Government should play an active role in promoting financial literacy and consumer protection by implementing policies and regulations that ensure ethical practices and protect the interests of consumers, he added.
Dr Nghĩa said regulatory bodies should strengthen their oversight and review the practices of financial advisors and institutions regularly to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
Experts also recommended incentives and tax benefits be introduced to encourage a savings culture and long-term financial planning.
For instance, tax breaks can be offered to individuals who contribute to retirement plans or dedicate a portion of their income to savings, they noted.
These incentives would motivate individuals to prioritise their financial future and develop healthy saving habits.
Collaboration with employers can also play a significant role in promoting personal financial planning.
Companies can partner with financial institutions to provide financial wellness programmes and education to their employees.
By incorporating financial wellness into the workplace, employers can empower their employees to make informed financial decisions, alleviate financial stress, and foster a more financially secure workforce.
The forum was co-organised by VFCA in cooperation with the HCM City-based Văn Lang University. — VNS
Finance
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Finance
Al-Ahly Mortgage Finance aims to grow portfolio to EGP 4bn by 2024-end – Dailynewsegypt
Hatem Amer, Managing Director of Al-Ahly Mortgage Finance, a subsidiary of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), announced that the company aims to achieve exceptional growth in its financing portfolio, targeting a total of EGP 4bn by the end of 2024.
According to Amer, the company successfully issued over EGP 2bn in new mortgage finance in 2024. This was achieved through a variety of Programmes designed to finance residential, administrative, and commercial units, catering to the diverse needs of mortgage finance customers in Egypt.
He explained that these specialized Programmes were key to attracting new customer segments, including Egyptians working abroad, residents in Egypt with foreign income sources, and regional and multinational companies seeking to acquire administrative properties. These successes were driven by thorough studies of the real estate market and its evolving demands.
Al-Ahly Mortgage Finance was also recognized with the “Most Innovative Company in Egypt for 2024” award by International Business Magazine, a prestigious institution specializing in market analysis and financial sector evaluations.
Amer emphasized that this award is a reflection of the company’s leadership and position in Egypt’s mortgage finance sector, as well as its dedication to providing the best possible experience for its customers.
He further highlighted that the company achieved these results despite significant challenges in the Egyptian market, including ongoing fluctuations in exchange rates, high inflation, and rising real estate prices across various sectors. The company’s resilience, he said, was key to its success, enabling it to launch innovative solutions that addressed these challenges, with full support from NBE, the largest Egyptian bank.
Finance
Savings interest rates today, December 28, 2024 (best account provides 4.30% APY)
The Federal Reserve cut its target rate three times in late 2024, which means savings interest rates are falling. So it’s important to be sure you’re getting the best rate possible when shopping around for a savings account. The following is a breakdown of savings interest rates today and where to find the best offers.
The national average savings account rate stands at 0.42%, according to the FDIC. This might not seem like much, but consider that three years ago, it was just 0.06%.
Although the national average savings interest rate is fairly low compared to other types of accounts (such as CDs) and investments, the best savings rates on the market today are much higher. In fact, some of the top accounts are currently offering 4% APY and higher.
Today, the highest savings account rate available from our partners today is 4.30% APY. This rate is offered by BMO Alto and there is no minimum opening deposit required.
Here is a look at some of the best savings rates available today from our verified partners:
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Related: 10 best high-yield savings accounts today>>
The amount of interest you can earn from a savings account depends on the annual percentage rate (APY). This is a measure of your total earnings after one year when considering the base interest rate and how often interest compounds (savings account interest typically compounds daily).
Say you put $1,000 in a savings account at the average interest rate of 0.42% with daily compounding. At the end of one year, your balance would grow to $1,004.21 — your initial $1,000 deposit, plus just $4.21 in interest.
Now let’s say you choose a high-yield savings account that offers 4% APY instead. In this case, your balance would grow to $1,040.81 over the same period, which includes $40.81 in interest.
The more you deposit in a savings account, the more you stand to earn. If we took our same example of a high-yield savings account at 4% APY, but deposit $10,000, your total balance after one year would be $10,408.08, meaning you’d earn $408.08 in interest.
Read more: What is a good savings account rate?
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