Japanese lender Mizuho Bank has acquired a 7.5% stake in Vietnamese digital payment services company M-Service, which operates MoMo app.

The investment is part of MoMo’s $200m Series E funding round, which was led by Mizuho bank with participation from Ward Ferry, Goodwater Capital, and Kora Management.

As per media reports, the Ho Chi Minh City-based startup has crossed a $2bn valuation.

MoMo plans to use the funding to develop and strengthen its ‘super-app’ and expand its portfolio of financial services.

It will also use the proceeds to expand its rural presence, invest in technology and mergers and acquisitions.

Through M-Service, which has over 50% market share, Mizuho Bank is looking to expand its presence in the Asian region.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Mizuho Bank seeks to “to become the most trusted financial services group with a global presence and a broad customer base, contributing to the prosperity of Japan, the rest of Asia, and the world as a whole.”

Mizuho Bank’s investment in M-Service follows its investment in Vietcombank, a state-owned commercial bank, in 2011.

The lender said it will assist M-Service in strengthening its financial services business in the country and plans to expand its collaboration with M-Service and Vietcombank to further Vietnam’s retail finance industry.

Notably, Mizuho Bank’s announcement comes after it achieved a target of 9% for its common equity tier 1 ratio, a measure of the firm’s financial position.

Last month, Mizuho Financial Group CEO Tatsufumi Sakai and three other senior executives resigned after the bank was reprimanded by the banking regulator.