OCBC Indonesia and Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider, have formed a strategic partnership to deliver embedded financial services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This is part of a joint effort to boost financial inclusion for businesses operating in one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing digital economies in Southeast Asia. Combining OCBC’s longstanding presence, deep knowledge of SMEs and customer franchise in Indonesia, with Ant International’s leading capabilities in alternative-data modelling, dynamic credit strategy and automated credit decision, this partnership will deliver differentiated financing services to SMEs within digital ecosystems.

This is the first such partnership in Indonesia between Ant International and a commercial bank. Both parties believe this collaboration could benefit thousands of small businesses in Indonesia over the next few years.

Indonesia is the largest digital economy in Southeast Asia. According to market research company Mordor Intelligence, Indonesia's e-commerce landscape is poised for significant growth, projected to increase from an estimated $58.43 billion in 2024 to $95.84 billion by 2029.

This partnership builds on OCBC’s SME embedded financing focus where the bank has been availing financing solutions to SME suppliers on leading business-to-business supply chain platforms across Singapore and Malaysia. Since the existing programme was launched by OCBC in 2023, close to SGD 200 million ($155 million) in loans have been disbursed to hundreds of SMEs in Singapore and Malaysia by end-2024.

Linus Goh, head of global commercial banking at OCBC, said, “We are excited to partner with Ant International in Indonesia, leveraging their transformative technology solutions in SME lending to expand our SME value proposition and reach within this fastest-growing digital economy in Southeast Asia. We believe this collaboration will help us to shape the future landscape of financial services in an increasingly digital marketplace in Indonesia, and importantly, to help us enable the aspirations and growth of our SME customers.”

Ant International shares the same commitment to supporting SMEs globally, with over 90% of merchants it serves being small and micro-sized enterprises. The company has been working with global and local financial leaders to widen financial access for small businesses with AI-driven financial and credit solutions beyond its expertise on payments and digitisation expertise.

Quan Yu, general manager of credit services at Ant International, said, “Indonesia’s energy and creativity are vividly reflected in its SME community. As digital transformation accelerates, financial solutions must be equally agile and visionary. The partnership with OCBC, a trusted brand with deep local roots, highlights our shared commitment to deliver tech-infused innovation that empowers business growth and support Indonesia's sustainable future.”

Redisseminated by The Asian Banker