According to a bank representative, many business households frequently face unexpected decisions in a rapidly changing market. Constant cash flow situations necessitate a savings solution that is both profitable and flexible. Addressing this need, VIB introduced iDepo, a smart savings product, on its MyVIB digital banking application, offering competitive interest rates. User experiences indicate that the product is becoming a solution that helps customers achieve secure profits while ensuring liquidity and greater readiness for business opportunities.

Ms. Minh, owner of a fashion store in TP HCM, noted that the year-end period is typically the peak season for the retail market. Even a slight delay can cause business owners to miss significant revenue opportunities. Despite this understanding, she once faced difficulties when a supplier unexpectedly increased prices and demanded an earlier deposit than anticipated.

Customers learn about the iDepo product. Photo: VIB

Although accustomed to managing cash flow, Ms. Minh encountered a familiar challenge: most of her family’s savings were held in term deposit accounts across several banks. To withdraw funds urgently, she would have had to accept losing nearly all accrued interest. Quick loan options were not optimal due to high costs and complex procedures. "The supplier unexpectedly raised prices and asked for a deposit earlier than I planned," Ms. Minh explained. "I only had a temporary liquidity shortage, but if I delayed, a business opportunity could have been lost simply because I didn't have 200 million VND readily available."

According to the bank, situations like Ms. Minh’s are common for individual business owners, small traders, or online sellers. Cash flow circulates quickly, and costs fluctuate with market changes, yet traditional savings products do not adequately support flexible withdrawal and transfer needs. These demands make new savings solutions like VIB’s iDepo appealing to customers such as Ms. Minh. The product offers annual returns of up to 6,8% and allows withdrawals or transfers in any situation.

Mr. Hung, owner of a household goods store in Binh Duong, faced a different issue. His store’s revenue varied significantly by season, especially during holidays. He typically used term deposits, but whenever he needed capital for new inventory, he had to calculate whether early settlement would offset the costs.

Four months ago, Mr. Hung opened an iDepo account on the MyVIB app with a balance of 1 billion VND. This product allows the small trader to monitor, withdraw, or transfer funds proactively without the constraints of traditional savings methods. When he urgently needed 500 million VND, Mr. Hung transferred his 1 billion VND iDepo balance to an acquaintance directly through the MyVIB app for 1,02 billion VND (including 4 months of accumulated interest). After receiving the money, he immediately redeposited 500 million VND into iDepo, thus retaining full interest for the past 4 months.

"Before, I often used savings passbooks and would lose interest if I needed money urgently," Mr. Hung stated. "This time, with iDepo, I transferred it to my cousin, and both parties benefited: my cousin received a good interest rate, and I got urgent cash while keeping my interest. Thanks to this solution, I had additional capital to purchase new inventory in time for the holiday season."

Also seeking greater flexibility, Thuy Vy, an e-commerce seller, noted that advertising and warehousing costs constantly fluctuate with market changes. Previously, she divided her money across multiple bank accounts to avoid "locked capital," but this did not optimize interest earnings. After switching to iDepo, she can actively manage each savings amount, withdrawing, transferring, monitoring, and settling directly on MyVIB. The product’s combination of term deposit features and immediate capital rotation helps Thuy Vy maintain stable profits while seizing new business opportunities. Not being tied to traditional terms allows the seller to confidently increase her advertising budget during market upturns while retaining previously accumulated interest.

VIB’s iDepo combines the characteristics of a term deposit with features allowing customers to transfer, gift, or inherit on a secondary market, with flexible transfer fees (customers incur no fees for designated transfers to known individuals). VIB developed the product for flexibility, making it a cornerstone of the Smart Depo solution package, which includes smart savings products: Hi-Depo, i-1Depo, and iDepo. This savings solution offers several advantages: denominations starting from 50 million VND, interest rates up to 6,8% per year, a 36-month term, and interest paid semiannually.

A VIB representative indicated that more individual business owners are choosing flexible savings solutions. In a context where input costs fluctuate seasonally and revenue varies with campaigns or digital purchasing power, the ability to withdraw capital at the right time can significantly impact profitability. Flexible savings products help optimize returns and act as a safety net, ensuring users are not caught off guard by business opportunities.

iDepo was developed to meet these needs. This feature makes the product an optimal solution for business owners, freelance service providers, and young families aiming to balance profitability and liquidity.

"By focusing on user experience and benefits, iDepo is helping to shape a new approach to cash flow savings: smarter, more flexible, and aligned with the pace of modern financial life," the representative concluded.

Hoang Dan