OCBC has announced an ambitious loan target of S$5b by 2028 for serial entrepreneurs across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. This initiative follows the successful launch of the bank’s business proposition in Malaysia in July 2025, after a nine-month pilot, and builds on its initial rollout in Singapore in 2019.
The bank’s strategy focuses on entrepreneurs who own multiple small, early-stage businesses, recognising the potential in this segment. In Singapore, one in three new businesses is owned by an entrepreneur with at least one existing business. By the end of 2024, OCBC had provided S$1.5b in financing to over 1,800 serial entrepreneurs in Singapore and Malaysia. The bank plans to extend an additional S$3.5b in financing across its core markets from 2025 to 2028.
OCBC’s approach involves a comprehensive evaluation of an entrepreneur’s experience and business strategy, supported by a dedicated team of specialists. This contrasts with the industry norm of assessing each business individually, which can hinder start-ups from securing financing. Adam Piperdy, founder of Unearthed Group, praised OCBC for recognising his entire portfolio and providing access to resources typically reserved for larger corporations.
Anna Chang, Head of Middle Market and Services at OCBC, stated, “OCBC has re-imagined banking for serial entrepreneurs—centring it on enabling founders to build, scale, and exit businesses with confidence and agility.”
The bank’s expansion into Hong Kong and Indonesia aims to further support serial entrepreneurs with tailored financial solutions, fostering growth and innovation in the region.
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