OCBC Targets 10,000 Female Entrepreneurs
Singapore’s OCBC expands its SME programme across Asia, targeting women-owned businesses with social loans, education, and cross-border growth opportunities.
OCBC has announced plans to accelerate the growth of 10,000 women-owned SMEs by 2030 through dedicated programmes in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.
The initiative builds on strong momentum: Singapore and Indonesia pioneered the model, while Hong Kong and Malaysia joined in 2025, according to a media release on Wednesday.
Social Loans
As of June 2025, OCBC has already supported more than 2,000 women-led SMEs with nearly $600 million in social loans.
These loans are aligned with international Social Loan Principles and aim to bolster the resilience and expansion of businesses led by women entrepreneurs.
Closing the Early-Stage Growth Gap
Data from OCBC shows that women-owned SMEs in Singapore record 30 percent lower sales turnover growth in their first three years compared to male-owned peers.
Access to financing, however, helps bridge this gap – highlighting the impact of targeted financial support.
Tailored Financing
In Singapore, women-owned SMEs can access up to $100,000 in financing within their first two years, with processing fees waived.
Loan commitments to women entrepreneurs surged by over 20 percent in the year after the launch of the Women Unlimited Programme in 2024, with Food & Beverage, Construction, and Logistics among the top beneficiaries.
Real Stories of Growth
Entrepreneurs like Jlynn Chen of The Powder Shampoo and Yasmin Sim of The Plattering Co. are proof of the programme’s impact.
With OCBC’s backing, The Powder Shampoo doubled its customer base and expanded into 16 markets, while The Plattering Co. is building a halal-certified kitchen to triple revenue by 2027 and expand into ASEAN.
Building Regional Connections
OCBC also plans to facilitate cross-border events, learning exchanges, and business-matching trips to fuel regional expansion.
Between 2018 and 2023, the number of women-owned businesses under 10 years old expanding beyond Singapore grew by 51 percent a trend OCBC aims to accelerate.
Long-Term Commitment
«We continue to see growth potential in the women entrepreneur segment and remain committed to supporting them,» said Iris Ng, Head of Emerging Business, Global Commercial Banking at OCBC.
«Many started with just an idea. Today, they are thriving businesses creating jobs in their communities — that’s the kind of impact we strive for,» she added.
