OCBC Malaysia today announced the launch of OCBC Women Unlimited, a comprehensive programme aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across Malaysia through financing, networking, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Under the theme “Empowering Entrepreneurs, Celebrating Women,” the initiative reflects OCBC Malaysia’s commitment to supporting women in business by providing tailored financial solutions and recognising their vital contributions to the economy and society.

As part of the programme, OCBC Malaysia is offering collateral-free financing of up to RM600,000 at preferential rates, enabling women entrepreneurs to access cheaper capital they need to grow and innovate. Supporting this initiative is a RM100 million Islamic Portfolio Guarantee-i (PG-i) agreement between OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad, the Bank’s Islamic banking subsidiary, and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC). This strategic partnership is designed to bolster the growth of women-led enterprises.

Mr Tan Chor Sen, CEO of OCBC Malaysia, said the Bank understands the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and developed the Women Unlimited programme to help address these barriers.

“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 said.

Mr Tan also highlighted a positive trend in women’s entrepreneurship within the Bank’s portfolio.

“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.”

Beyond financing, OCBC Women Unlimited aims to foster a vibrant community of women entrepreneurs. The Bank will host networking sessions to facilitate meaningful connections, peer learning, and collaboration. These events will provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share experiences, and gain insights that inspire innovation and open doors to new opportunities.

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.”

Ms Sarahah Binti Hj Kedah of Kloth Circularity echoed the sentiment: “I’m excited to be part of OCBC Women Unlimited and look forward to learning, collaborating, and growing alongside other like-minded entrepreneurs.”

Premised on showcasing the resilience, capability, and women leadership to overcome barriers and unlock new possibilities, OCBC Women Unlimited was rolled out in OCBC headquarters in Singapore last year. For more information on the OCBC Women Unlimited programme in Malaysia, please visit www.ocbc.com.my/womenunlimited

OCBC has been recognised as Asia’s Best Bank for SMEs by Euromoney, underscoring its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs across the region. In Malaysia, the Bank was named Best SME Bank by Alpha Southeast Asia and Best Commercial Bank for SMEs by Finance Asia—the latter for the second consecutive year. Regionally, OCBC also received the title of Best SME Bank in Southeast Asia from Alpha Southeast Asia, and was honoured as ASEAN SME Bank of the Year by Asian Banking and Finance.

OCBC Malaysia comprises OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad and its Islamic subsidiary OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad.