Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Alliance Bank Malaysia has launched its latest digital solution, Digital SME, which aims to help SMEs manage and grow their business faster by leveraging the bank’s suite of innovative digital solutions.
The Digital SME loan offers up to RM500,000 collateral-free financing via a simple online process that only requires submission of the company’s six-month bank statement. To facilitate the application process, the Digital SME loan application is available in three languages, namely English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin. The bank also provides advice to SMEs on how to establish credit history and improve their credit profile.
Kevin Shum, Alliance Bank’s SVP and head of Digital SME, noted that they know that micro-enterprises may face issues obtaining financing due to their limited credit history, so they wanted to help them build their credit history by starting them with a small credit line, and subsequently help them expand by providing them quick access to financing via Digital SME once they are ready. He further shared that this financial year, they aim to provide up to RM200 million in digital SME loans.
“We want to enable our business customers to remotely open a digital business current account anytime, anywhere. The digital business account will comprise several innovative features, including a small overdraft line and business credit or debit card to help business owners manage their expenses more efficiently,” said Shum.
In addition to financing, Digital SME also offers financial advice on managing the business more efficiently. Aaron Sum, Alliance Bank’s group chief strategy of marketing and business development officer, stated, “Micro and small businesses face their own unique challenges while running their business, such as limited access to operational resources and recruiting talent. Through our BizSmart Solution portal, businesses can access relevant products and services such as digital marketing, logistics, accounting and data analytics at better rates to help them grow and run their business efficiently.”
BizSmart Solution portal is a one-stop online business community portal with over 200 partners, enabling business owners to reach out to new customers and access a wide range of business solutions at preferential rates.
The Digital SME financing is applicable to businesses that have been in operation for at least a year and with an annual turnover between RM50,000 and RM30 million.
