On March 08th 2016 in Hanoi, an affinity strategic partnership agreement was officially inked by and between Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) – Top 5 Private Commercial Banks in Vietnam and renowned  football club Barcelona (FC Barcelona). The cooperation of the two brands will create a new landmark for the development of the two parties in Vietnam and all over the world, marking a new step in the partnership between a leading bank in Vietnam and a football giant. This event enables SHB to become the first and only banking partner of FC Barcelona in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; to open big business opportunities in retail sector, opportunities to cooperate with financial institutions in Europe and realize the goals of community benefits, promotion of the country brand and Vietnamese people image to the world.

Affinity Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Mr. Nguyen Van Le – SHB CEO (left) and Mr. Xavier Asensi – Managing Director of Asia Pacific of FC Barcelona

The signing ceremony received the participation Mr. Francisco Javier Puig Saura – Deputy Head of Mission of Spanish Embassy to Vietnam, Mr. Xavier Asensi – Managing Director of Asia Pacific of FC  Barcelona, representatives of Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), representatives of State Bank of Vietnam Hanoi Branch, representatives of Ministry of Culture-Sports and  Tourism,  representatives of SHB: Chairman Do Quang Hien and CEO Nguyen Van Le, representatives of other Ministries and department, and news agencies.

Mr. Do Quang Hien – SHB Chairman and Mr. Xavier Asensi – Managing Director of Asia Pacific of FC Barcelona at the interview with the presses and media

Following the success in “sponsoring” SHB Da Nang – a leading football club in Vietnam and the strategic partnership with Man City FC since 2014, SHB heads towards the cooperation with FC Barcelona, a powerful and long-tradition football club beloved  around the world. This event does not only open up great business opportunities for SHB in retail sector through the development of domestic and international co-branded cards and other banking products but also a highlight in its brand development strategy through strategic partnerships with world leading football clubs. The handshake with a globally influential and powerful brand name as FC Barcelona has marked SHB’s breakthrough in unceasingly improving the position of a leading commercial bank in Vietnam. The event also strongly promotes the brand and products & services SHB to a large number of FC Barcelona fans worldwide, helping SHB approach and develop a segment of FC Barcelona fans in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and around the world; opens opportunities for cooperation with financial institutions in Europe; bring the country brand and Vietnamese people image to the world.