Vietnam lets ANZ issue, underwrite onshore bonds

HANOI Nov 20 (Reuters) - Vietnam's central bank said on Friday it had authorised the Vietnamese unit of ANZ Bank (ANZ.AX) to issue and underwrite onshore bonds, the second fully foreign-owned bank after HSBC (HSBA.L)(0005.HK) to be given that permission.

ANZ Bank Vietnam Ltd can expand its banking activities on the country's primary bond market following a State Bank of Vietnam directive issued on Thursday, the central bank said in a statement.

The Vietnamese unit of ANZ secured permission to operate as a fully foreign-owned bank in October 2008. The central bank gave HSBC Bank Vietnam Ltd permission to issue and underwrite bonds in June this year. (Reporting by Ho Binh Minh; Editing by Alan Raybould)