OCBC Commits $600M to Boost Women-led SMEs Across Southeast Asia

• OCBC to provide social loans to 10,000 women entrepreneurs by 2030
• 2,000 women-led SMEs already funded; US$600m committed
• Up to S$100k financing for new women-owned SMEs, fees waived

OCBC has announced a major push toward gender-inclusive finance, pledging to extend social loans to 10,000 women entrepreneurs across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia by 2030. The bank has already financed 2,000 women-led SMEs as of June 2025, with loan commitments approaching US$600 million under initiatives such as the Women Unlimited Programme in Singapore and Malaysia and the Women Warriors Programme in Indonesia.

In Singapore, where Women Unlimited was launched in April 2024, eligible women-owned SMEs can secure up to S$100,000 in financing within their first two years of incorporation, with processing fees waived to reduce entry barriers. These loans are aligned with internationally recognised Social Loan Principles to ensure measurable socio-economic impact.

OCBC noted that while one in three of its SME customers across its four core markets are women-led, such businesses typically record around 30 per cent lower sales turnover growth in their first three years compared to male-owned firms. However, those that received financing were able to narrow this gap, highlighting the transformative role of capital access.

Beyond lending, the bank’s programmes also focus on capability building, offering workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Plans are underway to host regional events and cross-border business-matching trips to support international expansion. The initiative underscores how gender-focused finance can be scaled across diverse markets, reflecting a broader trend of embedding social impact into SME lending.