VIB released 9M 2021 results with TOI of VND10.4tn (USD451mn; +32.4% YoY) and bottom-line net profit of VND4.3tn (USD185mn; +32.7% YoY), both achieving 69% of our respective FY2021 forecasts. The increase in NPAT was mainly due to (1) a 41.8% YoY rise in NII and (2) 3.2% YoY NOII growth that outweighed (3) a 30.8% YoY increase in OPEX and (4) 38.7% YoY increase in provision expense. We see potential downside risk to our earnings forecasts, pending a more extensive review.