Ant International’s WorldFirst has partnered with OCBC, Southeast Asia’s second-largest financial services group, to simplify cross-border trade for 1.2 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This collaboration comes as trade between Greater China and Southeast Asia continues to grow, necessitating a robust payment ecosystem for SMEs.
The partnership, formalised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 29 October 2025, will extend WorldFirst’s services into Malaysia and Indonesia. This expansion allows SMEs to collect payments in 14 major currencies and send funds across 210 countries and regions from a single account. OCBC customers will benefit from fee-free transfers into their WorldFirst global accounts, enhancing cost efficiency in international payments.
WorldFirst’s Vice President, Clara Shi, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “The deepened partnership with OCBC is a key step in strengthening WorldFirst’s regional financial network. By integrating OCBC’s market-leading presence in Southeast Asia, we can better support local SMEs with compelling benefits.”
Melvyn Low, Head of Global Transaction Banking at OCBC, added, “We are glad to strengthen our partnership with Ant International and WorldFirst. Together, we share a strong commitment to empowering SMEs across Southeast Asia with powerful, cost-effective financial solutions.”
In 2025, WorldFirst plans to accelerate its Southeast Asia expansion with an official launch in Thailand and the acquisition of a Money Services Business (MSB) licence in Malaysia. This partnership with OCBC is expected to further enhance WorldFirst’s cross-border trade and international payments capabilities for SMEs in the region.
