OCBC Malaysia has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs with access to capital, networking, and business knowledge. The programme, called OCBC Women Unlimited, is themed “Empowering Entrepreneurs, Celebrating Women” and is designed to provide tailored solutions for women-led enterprises across the country.
As part of the offering, OCBC Malaysia will make available collateral-free financing of up to RM600,000 at preferential rates. The effort is backed by an RM100 million Islamic Portfolio Guarantee-i (PG-i) arrangement between OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd, the Islamic banking arm of the group, and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC).
Mr Tan Chor Sen, CEO of OCBC Malaysia, said, “One of the key challenges women entrepreneurs face is securing funding, often due to limited collateral. This restricts their ability to expand or innovate. Through Women Unlimited, we’re tackling this issue head-on by offering collateral-free financing to unlock new growth opportunities.”
He added, “Women now represent approximately 21% of our SME portfolio, up from 13% in 2020. We’re also seeing a shift toward technology-driven ventures among women-led businesses, beyond traditional sectors like retail and healthcare. These developments underscore the growing role of women in shaping Malaysia’s economic future.”
Alongside financial support, the programme will also include networking events to encourage collaboration and peer-to-peer learning, giving entrepreneurs opportunities to share experiences and insights that could help them scale their businesses.
Ms Inthira Kalanjiam, Founder & CEO of Lafre Global and an OCBC customer, welcomed the initiative: “Women-led SMEs contribute 20% to Malaysia’s GDP but continue to face significant hurdles. OCBC Women Unlimited is a game-changer—it provides access to financing and mentoring that helps entrepreneurs like me overcome obstacles and expand our networks.”
The scheme was first launched at OCBC’s headquarters in Singapore last year and builds on the bank’s reputation as a leading SME partner in the region. OCBC Malaysia comprises OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad and its subsidiary OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd.
