OCBC has announced its ambitious plan to accelerate the growth of 10,000 women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across its core markets by 2030. The initiative will provide social loans through dedicated SME programmes in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. As of June 2025, OCBC has already supported over 2,000 women-owned SMEs with loan commitments totalling nearly $600 million.
The bank’s programmes, including the OCBC Women Unlimited Programme and the Women Warriors Programme, aim to enhance the socioeconomic advancement of women and strengthen the resilience of their businesses. Women-owned SMEs in Singapore, for instance, can secure financing of up to $100,000 within their first two years, with waived processing fees.
OCBC’s data reveals that women-owned SMEs in Singapore typically experience 30% lower sales turnover growth in their initial years compared to male-owned SMEs. However, those securing financing have managed to bridge this gap. The bank’s efforts have resulted in a more than 20% increase in loan commitments to women-owned SMEs in Singapore within a year of the programme’s launch.
Notable beneficiaries include The Powder Shampoo and The Plattering Co., which have expanded significantly with OCBC’s support. Iris Ng, Head of Emerging Business at OCBC, emphasised the bank’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, stating, “It’s been incredibly rewarding to partner with and journey alongside our women entrepreneurs.”
OCBC plans to facilitate regional events and business-matching trips to support the cross-border growth of women-owned SMEs, reflecting a 51% increase in such businesses expanding beyond Singapore from 2018 to 2023.
