Eximbank Board Member Jason Ho Outlines Trust-First Strategy for Lender
Jason Ho joined Eximbank's board in 2026. He draws on four decades of international banking experience to guide the Vietnamese lender's strategic review.
Strategic Direction at Eximbank
Jason Ho, an Eximbank board member, is guiding the Vietnamese lender's strategic review. He joined the board in 2026, bringing nearly four decades of international banking experience. Ho's career spans roles in trading, treasury, risk management, human resources, and corporate governance.
He has observed significant industry shifts, including periods of expansion and financial crises. His current focus is on developing Eximbank's next growth phase. Ho stresses that banking success relies on customer trust and disciplined protection of that trust.
Lessons from Financial Crises
Ho's banking approach was shaped by two major financial crises. During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, he observed companies borrowing in US dollars without managing foreign exchange risks. As Volvo's corporate treasurer for Asia Pacific, he managed the financial fallout across the region. The 2008 global financial crisis highlighted profit reporting discrepancies.
Banks often showed strong earnings while excessive leverage and liquidity risks grew unnoticed. These experiences taught Ho the importance of understanding, assessing, pricing, and managing risks responsibly.
Foundations of a Sound Bank
Ho identifies fiduciary responsibility, reputation, corporate governance, and sustainable profitability as key pillars for sound banking. He views profitability as a result of appropriate decisions, effective risk management, and customer confidence, not a goal to pursue at any cost.
Growing up in Singapore, he saw his mother's reliance on savings, which instilled a deep appreciation for depositors' peace of mind. Ho asserts that reputation, built over years, can be lost quickly. Strong corporate governance, with clear responsibilities and oversight, is vital for protecting this trust.
Future Metrics and Digital Impact
Ho believes Eximbank's success should not be measured solely by size or ranking. He advocates strengthening customer trust, improving funding, maintaining risk controls, and generating sustainable returns. Key indicators include sustained growth in return on equity (ROE), funding stability, customer satisfaction, and reduced fraud incidents.
He also values employee engagement and low non-performing loans (NPLs). Technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and digital investments, is viewed as crucial for long-term improvement. Eximbank will continue its strategic transformation into 2027.
This strategic emphasis on trust and governance at Eximbank signals a potential shift in how Vietnamese lenders assess long-term value. Investors will monitor Eximbank's financial metrics, including ROE growth and NPLs, through 2027 to gauge the impact of these changes on its market position and funding stability.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
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