NATIONAL TECHNICAL STANDARDS ON VAULT AND SECURITY VEHICLE OF CREDIT INSTITUTIONS AND FOREIGN BANK BRANCHES

Pursuant to Decree No. 40/2012/ND-CP dated May 2, 2012 of the Government on money issue; preservation and transport of valuables and valuable instruments in State Bank, credit institutions, and foreign bank branches;

Pursuant to Decree No. 102/2022/ND-CP dated December 12, 2022 of the Government on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the State Bank of Vietnam;

At request of Director of Issue and Vault Department;

The Governor of State Bank of Vietnam promulgates Circular on national technical standard on vault and security vehicle of credit institutions and foreign bank branches.

This Circular prescribes:

1. Technical standard on vaults in headquarters and branches of credit institutions and headquarters of foreign bank branches (hereinafter referred to as “FBBs”).

2. Technical standard on security vehicles transporting money, valuables, and valuable instruments of credit institutions and FBBs.

This Circular applies to credit institutions and FBBs operating in Vietnam.

In this Circular, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Vault refers to money, valuables, and valuable instrument storage of credit institutions and FBBs.

2. Vault space is divided into various spaces for separate storage of assets or asset storage or safe deposit box services.

3. Intermediate space refers to a space between vault entrance and the front desk where money, valuables, and valuable instruments are examined prior to being stored or withdrawn from storage.

4. Vault protective corridor refers to an area surrounding the vault and physically separating vault wall from adjacent areas.

5. Vault safety equipment system (hereinafter referred to as “equipment system”) includes: Electricity system, security alarms system; surveillance system; fire alarm and firefighting; ventilation and other equipment system.

6. Security vehicle refers to a specialized motor vehicle for transporting money, valuables, and valuable instruments of credit institutions and FBBs.

1. Vaults shall be built in headquarters of credit institutions and FBBs; have sufficient useable area for preservation of money, valuables, and valuable instruments.

General Directors (Director) of credit institutions and FBBs shall decide on construction of vaults outside of headquarters of credit institutions, and FBBs while adhering to technical requirements of vaults under this Circular.

2. Vault location shall be reasonable and convenient so as to ensure secure and safe vault operation.

3. Vaults shall be fitted with equipment systems.

4. Credit institutions and FBBs providing asset storage service, leasing safe deposit boxes shall utilize vault spaces with separate doors in accordance with standards on vault doors or separate vaults; or situate separate deposit boxes or safes in vaults and vault spaces to facilitate asset preservation service.

1. Floors, walls, and ceilings of vaults shall be made of reinforced concrete, connected to form a cube shape, and compliant with standards below:

a) Floors of vaults are even and flat. Layers of vault floors, in descending order, include: Surface layer that is non-slip and resistant to compression and collision; reinforced concrete; masonry concrete; sand; soil, and treatment for termite and moist resistance;

If vaults are built above the ground floor, technical standards of vault floors shall be similar to those of vault ceilings and vault floors shall be fitted with non-slip, compression resistant, and collision-resistant surface;

b) Vault walls shall be of a height appropriate to that of storey where the vaults are located;

c) Vault ceilings shall be of whole reinforced concrete blocks;

d) Vault protective corridors (if any) shall be fitted with separate doors and security alarm system to prevent intruders;

dd) Vents shall be appropriately located on vault walls, vault space walls, and intermediate space walls (if any);

e) Elevators shall serve vaults located above the ground floor or in the basements for transporting money, valuables, and valuable instruments.

2. Vaults at headquarters and branches of credit institutions, headquarters of FBBs shall meet minimum technical standards under Appendix I attached hereto.

1. Vault doors shall be located in secure locations and open to intermediate spaces (if any), consist of two layers of steel, gap between two layers shall be appropriate for thickness of vault walls and satisfy standards below:

a) Vault door frames shall be of steel, U-shaped, of a width appropriate to vault wall thickness, reinforced by steel plates; installed in a way that the underside rests on the floor of vaults and intermediate spaces (if any) and is casted concrete together with walls and floors of the vaults;

b) Outer layer of door frame is of steel and rigid cube shape. The outer surface is of steel sheets, seamless, welded with twisted steel bars on the inside; followed by a layer of concrete reinforced by steel mesh or steel types that prevent drilling and breaching. Edge of door leaf is clipped with steel. A steel partition of minimum thickness of 3 mm is required between locking mechanism and concrete layer. Important positions of locks shall be reinforced by a layer of corrugated steel or steel sheet of minimum thickness of 6 mm and capable of resisting drilling and thermal lance. A side of a door leaf shall be fitted with three-point hinges or fixed hinges and opposing side shall be fitted with 5 bolts or movable hinges. Two number locks requiring combinations of 3 of 4 digits with tracking keys with number cover shall be required. Password shall be changed conveniently and easily.

c) The inner door layer has the same dimensions as the outer layer; door frame shall be of steel, cube shape, consisting of two horizontal bars and vertical steel bars that are evenly 50 mm apart. The side on which hinges are installed shall contain two fixed bolts whereas the opposing side shall contain three mobile deadbolts operated by knobs. Door stoppers shall be required on sides with swinging doors. A recessed lock that can be unlocked from both side shall be required;

d) Locks of vault doors shall be of clear origin and accompanied by technical specifications and use manuals.

2. Vault space doors: If vault space doors are inside of vaults, the doors shall conform to standards applicable to inner layers of vault doors.

3. Vault doors at headquarters and branches of credit institutions, headquarters of FBBs shall meet minimum technical standards under Clause 1 of this Article and Appendix II attached hereto.

1. Vaults shall be fitted with the following equipment system:

a) Power supply for stable operation of other equipment system and backup power supply in case of power grid outage. Circuit breakers outside of vaults; switches and sockets inside vaults serving operation of other equipment systems in vaults;

Vaults shall be fitted with lighting systems that emit little heat and are protected by casing or cover, grid lighting, and emergency lighting (if any);

b) Fans of adequate capacity in vents to ensure proper ventilation and reduce contamination. Air expelled from vaults shall not contaminate adjacent work areas;

c) Fire alarm and firefighting system in accordance with regulations of fire authorities and compliant with National Standards on fire prevention and firefighting;

d) Security system for alarming trespassers and detecting trespassers such as:

(i) Infrared detectors installed in vaults; intermediate spaces and protective corridors (if any) to control movement in these areas;

(ii) Switches installed on the inside of: outside of vault doors; vault space doors, intermediate space doors, protective corridor doors (if any) and other necessary doors;

(iii) Emergency alarm buttons installed in vaults; intermediate spaces (if any) and other necessary areas in case of emergencies;

dd) Surveillance cameras in necessary positions to observe vault doors; intermediate spaces, protective corridors, transport staircases (if any); inside vaults (if necessary) and other necessary areas. Surveillance system must record, play, and extract images serving management, observation, monitoring, and supervision.

2. All equipment systems are managed, used, and monitored, examined on a regular basis. Equipment control panels shall be located in secure location, able to maintain confidentiality of parameters, and convenient for management and use.

3. Equipment systems installed at vaults of headquarters, branches of credit institutions and headquarters of FBBs shall meet minimum requirements under Clause 1 of this Article.

1. Security motor vehicles shall be fitted with storage compartments for money, valuables, and valuable instruments; firefighting equipment, tracking devices (if any), and seats for escort and guard personnel.

2. Storage compartments shall meet technical standards below:

a) In respect of trucks: Storage compartments are in enclosed box shape with 3 layers. The inner and outer layers are of stainless steel or steel treated for rust resistance and of minimum thickness of 1 mm (in respect of outer layer) and minimum thickness of 2 mm (in respect of inner layer); the middle layer is of fire-resistance-rated materials. Doors of storage compartments shall have 1 layer;

b) In respect of other types of vehicles: Storage compartments are in enclosed box shape with 3 layers (not including original vehicle body of manufacturers). The inner and outer layers are of stainless steel or steel treated for rust resistance and of minimum thickness of 1 mm (in respect of outer layer) and minimum thickness of 2 mm (in respect of inner layer); the middle layer is of fire-resistance-rated materials. Doors of storage compartments shall be of 2 layers where the outer layer is original doors of the vehicles. If storage compartments include ports for observation from and to driver’s cabins, the ports shall be of 2 layers: the inner layer consists of vertical steel bars of ɸ12, evenly distributed, and no more than 60 mm apart from one another; the outer layer consists of transparent materials and steel mesh;

c) Doors of storage compartments is firmly hinged, bolted, locked (keys and locks, analog keypads, electronic keypads), and of a dimension convenient for handling.

d) Storage compartments shall be equipped with lights, security alarm devices, fire alarm devices, and surveillance camera (if any).

1. The Issue and Vault Department is responsible for guiding and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

2. Bank Supervision and Inspection Agency, branches of the State bank in provinces and cities are responsible for inspecting and examining compliance with this Circular in respect of credit institutions and FBBs within their powers and tasks.

1. Credit institutions and FBBs shall, depending on practical capability and requirements pertaining to preservation of money, valuables, and valuable instruments, stipulate and provide guidelines in the system regarding:

a) Area of vaults; arrangement of vault space, intermediate space and doors of intermediate space, protective corridor (if any) appropriate to vaults of headquarters and branches;

b) Technical standards on vaults and requirements regarding equipment systems installed at vaults of transaction offices;

c) Regulations storage duration of surveillance camera footage;

d) Regulations on other means of transport (other than security vehicles) in areas with difficult traffic situations, specific traffic situations, or depending on practical capability, requirements and responsibilities for safety of money and assets;

dd) Regulations on management, use, and operation of equipment systems; regulations or guiding documents stipulating monitoring and handling of situations upon receiving signals indicating emergencies to equipment systems; periodic maintenance and technical maintenance of equipment instructions in accordance with instructions of manufacturers and installing units.

2. Credit institutions and FFBs shall, depending on actual conditions and this Circular, research and apply technological and scientific advances regarding vault construction and installation of equipment systems, means of transport within the system, and safety of money and valuables.

3. Credit institutions and FBBs shall be responsible for selecting and installing vault doors and equipment systems in accordance with this Circular.

4. In respect of People’s Credit Fund and microfinance organizations:

a) People’s Credit Fund and microfinance organizations shall adhere to relevant regulations under this Circular upon constructing vaults and purchasing security vehicles if possible;

b) In respect of People’s Credit Fund and microfinance organizations incapable of constructing vaults and purchasing security vehicles in accordance with this Circular, Chairpersons of Board of Directors and General Directors (Directors) are responsible for guiding construction, repair, renovation, and upgrade of vaults; allocating vehicles, security and transport measures for money in order to maintain safety during storage and transport of money of People’s Credit Fund and microfinance organizations.

1. Security vehicles purchased and furnished; vaults built, renovated, upgraded, and furnished in accordance with documents issued before the effective date of Circular No. 02/2012/TT-NHNN dated October 25, 2012 of the Governor of State Bank of Vietnam shall be eligible for further use. Repair, replacement, or addition in case of damage or replacement shall conform to this Circular.

2. Security vehicles purchased and furnished; vaults built, renovated, upgraded, and furnished or subject to contracts for purchase and installation in accordance with Circular No. 02/2012/TT-NHNN dated October 25, 2012 of the Governor of State Bank of Vietnam before the effective date hereof shall be eligible for further use whereas their maintenance and preservation shall conform to applicable regulations.

Article 12. Entry into force

1. This Circular enters into force from February 12, 2024.

2. This Circular annuls Circular No. 02/2012/TT-NHNN dated October 25, 2012 of the Governor of State Bank of Vietnam.

Chief of Office, Director of Issue and Vault Department, heads of entities affiliated to the State Bank of Vietnam; Directors of branches State Bank of Vietnam of provinces and cities; credit institutions and FBBs are responsible for the implementation of this Circular./.