Stew Post
Senior Communications Officer Stew Post sat down with Nicolas Hollanders, CEO of BRED Bank Cambodia. The pair discussed Nicolas’ path to the position, what has changed since he last spoke with EuroCham nearly four years ago, and what sets BRED Bank apart in Cambodia’s highly-competitive financial sector.
Nicolas also shed light on what his firm offers private sector clients as well as BRED’s plans for 2026.
Stew: Can you give us a bit of background on your professional journey in Finance? How did you come to join BRED Bank Cambodia and reach the role of CEO?
Nicolas: After completing a master’s degree in banking, finance and insurance, I immediately chose to join BRED Banque Populaire, a unique group offering particularly rich career development opportunities, both in expert tracks and in management roles, across a wide range of territories well beyond mainland France.
My career, which began 22 years ago within BRED Banque Populaire, perfectly illustrates the reasons that led me to choose the group at that time. I have held more than nine different positions there, both in specialist roles – notably in managing and supporting corporate clients – and in managerial positions, in the Paris region, in Guadeloupe, and then internationally, which I joined in 2021 as Deputy Head.
This key step prepared me for a new challenge. For nearly four years now, I have had the privilege of leading BRED Bank Cambodia as CEO.
What has brought me here [to Cambodia] is a deep interest in multicultural environments, a strong appetite for challenges, and the desire to contribute to the development of a particularly dynamic and fast-growing economy.
Stew: For European companies operating in Cambodia, what does partnering with BRED Bank Cambodia concretely mean?
Nicolas: BRED Bank Cambodia is a wholly owned subsidiary of BRED Banque Populaire, a French regional cooperative bank supported by more than 200,000 members and serving over 1.3 million customers. BRED Banque Populaire is also a member of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France.
Concretely, this means we combine the solidity, governance standards and compliance framework of a major European banking group with a bank that has been fully embedded in the Cambodian economic fabric for 10 years.
We are a locally licensed commercial bank, with local decision-making capacity, and we operate with international standards in terms of compliance, risk management, reporting, and governance. For European companies especially, this provides reassurance when structuring cross-border transactions, managing treasury flows, or dealing with headquarters abroad.
In summary: choosing BRED Bank Cambodia means choosing a solid banking partner who understands the Cambodian context and will be a partner of choice, combining security and speed across all the key areas of concern for a business, from cash management and treasury to financing needs and banking solutions for employees.
Stew: When we last sat down for an interview, it was the end of 2022, and you had just become CEO of BRED Bank Cambodia. In the three and half years since, what changes have you seen in the Cambodian finance landscape and how has BRED Bank Cambodia adapted to this evolution?
Nicolas: Since the end of 2022, Cambodia’s financial sector has entered a more mature phase following a decade of rapid expansion. Credit growth has slowed particularly in construction, real estate, and tourism, while deposits have continued to rise. The number of banking players has also stabilised, with 60 commercial banks today, making Cambodia an extremely competitive market.
At the same time, the microfinance sector has come under closer scrutiny as regulators and industry stakeholders address household indebtedness and promote more responsible lending. Overall, the market is transitioning from a period of very rapid growth to a more balanced and sustainable financial environment.
At the same time, digital transformation has accelerated significantly. Cambodia has become one of the most dynamic markets in Southeast Asia for digital payments, with widespread adoption of QR transactions and the rapid expansion of platforms such as Bakong. As the only French and European bank in Cambodia, we bring a distinctive contribution in this evolving landscape by combining strong European standards in governance, risk management, and compliance with continuous investment in digital capabilities and modern payment infrastructure.
Beyond technology and products, BRED Bank Cambodia also plays a bridging role between Cambodia and international markets. By combining deep local knowledge with the expertise and network of a European banking group, it supports trade, foreign investment, and cross-border business flows that are essential for the country’s continued economic development. This positioning enables the bank to contribute to the next phase of Cambodia’s financial evolution, one that balances innovation, responsible growth, and stronger integration with the global financial ecosystem.
Stew: What practical banking solutions do you offer to support companies and entrepreneurs in their daily operations and growth?
Nicolas: We serve three main segments: Commercial banking for corporates and international corporates, Retail (individuals) banking, and Premier banking.
For corporate and international clients, we offer dedicated relationship managers, structured financing solutions, trade finance, guarantees, treasury services, and cross-border support. All transactions can be processed through our corporate banking application, BRED Business Connect, which offers security as well as ease and speed of execution.
Our teams work in Khmer, English and French. That is not anecdotal; it facilitates real discussions when dealing with complex financing or shareholder structures.
For example, when a European SME sets up in Cambodia, we can coordinate between local operations and the parent company abroad. We understand both environments. That reduces friction, saves time, and mitigates risk.
In parallel, we have launched a dedicated middle office responsible for developing a portfolio of club deals and syndicated loans and green loans. This allows us to structure larger or more complex financings alongside partner financial institutions.
On the retail and payroll side, we are launching a Customer Relation Centre to support companies managing large staff bases. It simplifies salary processing while offering employees access to modern banking services at an affordable price.
For retail and individual clients, we provide everyday banking solutions designed for simplicity, security, and accessibility. This includes current and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, personal loans, and digital banking services.
For expatriates, our international background is particularly reassuring when it comes to cross-border transfers and maintaining links with accounts abroad.
For Premier clients, including entrepreneurs and executives, the value is in proximity and advisory. It is not only about “premium image”; it is about tailored solutions, direct access to decision-makers, and responsiveness.
Across all segments, we provide 24/7 customer service. In a market where reactivity is often decisive, this is a practical advantage.
Stew: In a competitive banking environment, why should business choose BRED Bank Cambodia and what advantages do your clients gain?
Nicolas: First and foremost, BRED Bank Cambodia is a trusted and a responsible bank, firmly committed to the energy transition, to protecting the environment, and to supporting the development of Cambodian society.
We practice responsible lending. Concretely, that means we act as genuine advisors. By professionally analysing all the elements required to grant a loan, the value of the collateral is of course a key factor, as is the analysis of projected cash flows demonstrating the borrower’s future repayment capacity. Not putting our clients in a difficult situation is what responsible lending is about.
Second, we operate with international banking standards, this translates into:
- Strong compliance and KYC processes aligned with European and Cambodian expectations.
- Solid governance and internal controls.
- Transparent documentation.
For customers, especially those accountable to shareholders or regulators abroad, this reduces operational and reputational risk.
Finally, we are client-centric in a very practical way. Decision chains are short. You can speak to senior management. We are accessible.
Stew: Going into 2026, what can BRED Bank Cambodia customers expect from your team? Are there any exciting initiatives or updates on the horizon?
Nicolas: Going into 2026, our customers can expect us to continue investing heavily in the end-to-end customer experience. We are working to shorten processing times on key services, improve the performance of our tools, and maintain a high level of security, which remains a top priority for us. A major focus will be further digitalisation, including the rollout of dynamic QR code payment devices for merchants, to make collections faster, easier and more convenient.
In parallel, we are reinforcing our service model with a dedicated 24/7 call centre, accessible so that customers can reach us anytime, wherever they are, and receive fast, professional support in their day‑to‑day banking.
We also aim to make financing more accessible for foreign and European companies operating in our market, notably through guaranteed schemes and tailored structures, while expanding green financing solutions for SMEs that invest in sustainable projects.
Finally, we will strengthen our relationship‑manager model, with dedicated Khmer, English, and French‑speaking RMs for both individuals and businesses, so every customer benefits from personalised advice and a banking partner who truly understands their needs.
Overall, BRED Bank Cambodia customers can expect faster, safer, greener and more personalised banking in 2026, supported by a 24/7 toll‑free call centre (1 800 20 1234) and dedicated relationship managers.
