On the occasion of the Banking Vietnam 2007 forum from May 31 to June 1, Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Ta Quang Tien, Director of the Banking Information Technology Department.
Can you introduce the highlights of Banking Vietnam 2007?
This is the sixth annual Banking Forum. The forum is an important meeting place for financial and banking experts. Each year, the forum focuses on a current “burning” issue. This year’s subject is the Vietnamese banking system during international economic integration, with a focus on IT applications in the banking system.
The Vietnamese banking system developed rapidly, especially after Vietnam officially joined the WTO. So, how is IT integrated into the banking system?
In addition to other professional aspects, the banking system is always attaches great importance to applying information technology. In recent years, the sector has invested significant capital, human resources and technologies into modernizing the system. Besides, Vietnam also received assistance from international organisations. For example, the World Bank funded US$50 million to implement the interbank electronic information project in state-owned banks and six other commercial banks from 1996 to 2003.
In the second phase from 2006 to 2010, the WB pledged US$100 million to complete IT application for e-payments and e-transactions, bringing Vietnamese banking services to international levels. The commercial banking system will perfect accounting, auditing and supervising systems for financial operations. The introduction of uniform banking services without geographic and time restrictions is the foundation on which banks can increase products, services and utilities for clients.
Currently, e-payments are repeatedly broadcast by mass media but the security system is a top concern. How is system security guaranteed to generate trust among consumers?
In the past, the e-payment system expanded very quickly to meet socio-economic development demands in the country. Banking security is crucial and must be addressed at a national level. Thus, the banking sector and others should make significant investment in supervising, tracking, administrative and IT systems. Presently, banks usually use parallel networks, one for professional dealings and another for public operations, to ensure absolute system security. In my opinion, the system security is not actually a problem.
With this quick growth rate, how are human resources in the IT field holding up?
Currently, human resources are a headache for administrators, especially due to brain drain in the banking IT field. Strong demand within the sector is the core reason for frequent movement of banking IT experts. After working for a bank to gain experience and skill, employees usually move to others with better treatment, thus affecting the development of the system. It is hard and time-consuming to train administration and managerial staff, but it is harder to keep them. Therefore, training should come with attractive employment policies to ensure sustainable development.
Luu Hiep
Vietnamese
