Vietnam’s stock market has made important strides in international integration, especially since our country joined the WTO. WTO commitments have opened up many opportunities for foreign investors to participate in securities business activities in Vietnam. When there is a need to contribute capital to a securities trading company, what should investors pay attention to? In this article below, Viet An Law will advise foreign investors contribute capital to securities company in Vietnam according to current legal regulations.
Table of contents
Specifically, according to Clause 18, Article 3 of the Investment Law 2020, foreign investors are individuals with foreign nationality or organizations established under foreign law that conduct business investment activities in Vietnam.
According to Appendix I of Decree 31/2021/ND-CP, the securities business is a conditional market access industry for foreign investors. Therefore, to contribute capital to a securities trading company in Vietnam, foreign investors need to meet certain conditions.
According to Vietnam’s WTO Commitment Schedule, in the field of securities, immediately upon accession, foreign securities service providers are allowed to establish joint venture companies with Vietnamese partners in which the capital contribution ratio of the foreign side does not exceed 49%. After 5 years from joining, the establishment of 100% foreign-invested securities enterprises is allowed.
Thus, currently, foreign investors are allowed to establish securities enterprises with 100% foreign investment capital.
According to Article 77 of the Securities Law 2019, investors who are allowed to contribute capital to establish a securities company must meet the following conditions:
Foreign investors who are organizations are allowed to own up to 100% of the charter capital of a securities company or securities investment fund management company when meeting the following conditions:
In case the above regulations are not met, foreign investors who are organizations and related persons are only allowed to own up to 49% of the charter capital of a securities company or securities investment fund management company.
Foreign investors who are individuals and related persons are only allowed to own up to 49% of the charter capital of a securities company or securities investment fund management company.
According to Point c Clause 2 Article 74 and Point c Clause 2 Article 75 of the Securities Law 2019, shareholders and capital contributing members own 10% or more of the charter capital of 01 securities company/investment fund management company. Securities investors do not own more than 5% of the charter capital of another securities company/stock investment fund management company.
According to Clause 1, Article 144 of Decree 155/2020/ND-CP, foreign organizations expected to own more than 49% of the charter capital of securities companies or fund management companies must submit a request for approval for foreign investors to own more than 49% of charter capital to the State Securities Commission.
Document components include:
| No | Dossier components | Preparer |
| 1 | Application for approval of transaction to change ownership ratio to over 49% of charter capital of securities company, securities investment fund management company | Viet An Law |
| 2 | Principle contract on share transactions and capital contributions between parties participating in the transaction (if any); Enclosed with a document from a foreign organization authorizing a securities company or securities investment fund management company to carry out procedures for requesting transaction approval. | Client |
| 3 | License for establishment and operation, Enterprise Registration Certificate, or legal documents of equivalent value | Client |
| 4 | The decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders, Board of Members, or owner of a foreign organization on purchasing to own more than 49% of charter capital | Client |
| 5 | Minutes of meetings and resolutions of the General Meeting of Shareholders, Council of Members, or Decision of the owner of a securities company or securities investment fund management company on allowing foreign organizations to buy and own over 49% of charter capital | Client |
| 6 | The most recent audited annual financial statements and the most recent quarterly financial statements of the foreign organization. | Client |
| 7 | Power of Attorney for Viet An Law to carry out the procedure | Viet An Law |
This order and procedures are guided by Clause 1, Article 144 of Decree 155/2020/ND-CP. As follows:
Foreign investors who are expected to own more than 49% of the charter capital of securities companies, and fund management companies must submit to the State Securities Commission 01 dossier of application for approval for foreign investors to own more than 49% of charter capital.
Related parties must complete the approved transaction within 06 months from the date of approval decision of the State Securities Commission.
Within 05 working days from the date of completion of the transfer transaction, the securities company and securities investment fund management company must report the transaction results to the State Securities Commission.
If you have related questions or need legal support regarding foreign investors contribute capital to securities company in Vietnam, please contact Viet An Luat for the best support!
Disclaimer: This article was last updated in April 2024. Laws may have changed since then. Please contact Viet An Law to confirm the information in this article is current and for any legal assistance.
