AEON Bank, foodpanda MY team up to drive financial inclusion, support gig economy

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – AEON Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with foodpanda Malaysia, aiming  to drive the adoption of digital banking among both companies’ stakeholders, while also strengthening support for Malaysia’s gig economy and promoting financial inclusion through fintech solutions.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that outlines a range of initiatives. These include customer acquisition strategies, joint marketing campaigns, digital financing offerings, and value-added services for foodpanda and AEON Bank’s ecosystem — covering customers, delivery riders, merchants, and business partners.

According to AEON Bank CEO YM Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, “This strategic partnership with foodpanda marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for AEON Bank. We look forward to providing value to foodpanda riders and merchants by enabling access to digital banking, rewards programmes and services that elevate their experience.”

She added, “By optimising foodpanda’s expansive network and connecting it with AEON Bank’s Shariah-compliant products and AEON Points loyalty programme, we aim to deliver meaningful impacts to the target segments — particularly gig workers and MSMEs — while driving growth and engagement.”

The collaboration comes at a time of continued expansion in Malaysia’s online food and grocery delivery industry. User penetration is projected to hit 34.2% in 2025, with the number of users expected to grow to over 14.5 million by 2030.

Meanwhile, foodpanda Malaysia Managing Director Tan Ming Luk commented, “We are thrilled to join forces with AEON Bank to create real, tangible benefits for everyone in the foodpanda community. For our riders, this partnership goes beyond deliveries — it enables access to tech-driven financial support, microfinancing and financial literacy programmes that can improve their livelihoods. Meanwhile, our merchant partners will have greater opportunities to grow their businesses faster with targeted campaigns and financing solutions to scale their operations.”

He added, “And for our customers, they can expect more value and convenience with exclusive rewards and easier access to AEON’s retail ecosystem. This partnership is more than just a commercial collaboration — it’s about empowering riders, accelerating merchant growth and making every customer experience even more rewarding.”

The partnership will roll out several key initiatives:

• For Riders:
  • Programmes aimed at enhancing mobility and livelihood, including access to AEON Bank’s digital offerings, microfinancing for motorcycles and devices, and essential financial tools.
  • A financial literacy initiative tailored to the delivery rider community.
• For Merchants:
  • Co-branded campaigns to support merchant visibility and growth.
  • Access to AEON Bank’s “AB2B” Programme, offering financing for wholesale purchases and inventory expansion.
• For Customers:
  • Special promotions and rewards integrated with foodpanda orders.
  • Expanded accessibility to AEON’s retail ecosystem for online grocery shopping beyond AEON MaxValu Prime.

The collaboration will also see co-branding efforts featuring both brands’ mascots — AEON Bank’s Neko and foodpanda’s Pau-Pau — to drive engagement.

Both AEON Bank and foodpanda Malaysia aim to support broader socioeconomic development by harnessing digital platforms to deliver inclusive, customer-focused financial solutions.