OBS_VALUE: Before 10/01/2019, commercial banks were only allowed to lend foreign currencies in the medium and long term to pay abroad for the import of goods and services when borrowers have enough foreign currencies from the revenue from production and business activities to pay off the loan.From 10/01/2019, credit institutions and branches of foreign banks will have to stop all foreign currency lending activities for these companies.There are still some possibilities for foreign currencies lending but upon approval on case-by-case basis.Credit institutions are allowed to take deposits in foreign currency but shall specify the interest rates in accordance with the State Bank of Vietnam's regulations in each period. The max interest rates on foreign currency deposits fixed by SBV are 0% per year since 2015. 