OCBC has announced its ambitious plan to support 12,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia with sustainable financing by 2028. This initiative aims to more than double the 5,000 SMEs supported by the end of 2025, increasing OCBC’s SME sustainable finance commitments from nearly S$13b to S$25b.
This marks the first time an Asian bank has set a sustainable finance target specifically for SMEs, aligning with OCBC’s new corporate strategy, The Next Frontier, which includes a Net-Zero Shift to bolster green transitions across Asia. SMEs, which constitute over 95% of enterprises in the region and employ 70% of the workforce, are crucial in addressing climate change.
OCBC’s sustainable finance commitments include social loans for women entrepreneurs, with dedicated programmes in its core markets to enhance the socioeconomic advancement of women and strengthen women-owned businesses. In 2025, the bank saw a 34% increase in SMEs supported with sustainable financing and a 40% growth in sustainable finance commitments.
Elaine Heng, OCBC’s Head of Global Commercial Banking, stated, “Across the region, SMEs increasingly recognise that sustainability is not just a compliance requirement, but a strategic business imperative. Our new and ambitious sustainable financing target for SMEs reflects the growing maturity in this space.”
OCBC’s ongoing efforts include the SME Start-ESG Programme and the SME Energy Efficiency Assessment tool, which have already benefited numerous SMEs. These initiatives are part of OCBC’s broader strategy to support SMEs in their sustainability journey, ensuring they are equipped to meet future challenges and opportunities.
