Enterprising individuals who operate multiple businesses can now tap into OCBC Malaysia’s Serial Entrepreneur (SE) programme, a keyman-centric model that emphasises the visionary behind the businesses rather than the entity on a standalone basis. The programme empowers SEs to scale their ventures with tailored financial solutions.
(OCBC Malaysia comprises OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) and its Islamic subsidiary OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd.)
Rather than simply introducing a new banking product, OCBC Malaysia’s SE programme reimagines how banks engage with the key players in the business world. Through data analytics and customer feedback, OCBC Malaysia gained deep insights into the behaviours, funding needs and growth trajectories of entrepreneurs managing multiple businesses.
Addressing the challenges of SEs: OCBC Malaysia’s keyman-centric approach
For SEs, navigating the complexities of managing multiple businesses can be overwhelming. Traditional banking models often treat each venture as a separate entity, leading to fragmented support and financial solutions that fail to consider the bigger picture. Recognising these challenges, OCBC Malaysia introduced a groundbreaking keyman-centric approach within its SE programme.
At the heart of this innovative model is a dedicated Group Relationship Manager who oversees all businesses linked to the entrepreneur. This personalised approach means that financing and banking advice are tailored to the entrepreneur’s entire portfolio, rather than evaluating each business in isolation. This holistic perspective alleviates the stress of juggling multiple banking relationships and helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions that benefit their overall enterprise.
Additionally, the SE programme features a group-based financing model that allows entrepreneurs to leverage the strength and credibility of their existing businesses. Instead of treating each venture as a standalone entity, OCBC Malaysia views the entrepreneur’s portfolio as a cohesive unit. This approach allows for easier access to funds and strengthens credit history, making it simpler for entrepreneurs to secure financing for new ventures and larger expansions.
From payment and collection services to industry-specific banking solutions, OCBC Malaysia provides customised support at every stage of the entrepreneur’s journey. This comprehensive assistance enables SEs to focus on growing their businesses without the burden of navigating a fragmented banking landscape.
OCBC Malaysia’s SE journey
The journey starts with engaging in meaningful, in-depth conversations with entrepreneurs to understand their unique backgrounds, visions and ambitions for each venture. This personal engagement is crucial, as it allows the bank to shape tailored solutions that directly address the specific needs and aspirations of the entrepreneur, rather than offering generic banking products.
Then comes the evaluation process. Using proprietary credit underwriting methods, the bank then assesses not only the financial health of individual businesses but also the entrepreneur’s overall track record. The final step is milestone development, where OCBC Malaysia creates needs-based solutions that align with the entrepreneur’s growth trajectory. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that financing solutions are aligned with the entrepreneur’s entire portfolio, providing them with a clearer picture of their potential as well as the tools and confidence to make their next big move.
One of the significant challenges SEs face is the need for cohesive support across their various ventures. Many banks assign separate officers to handle different banking services, resulting in a fragmented customer experience. In contrast, OCBC Malaysia consolidates all banking needs under one dedicated Group Relationship Manager.
“This streamlined approach empowers entrepreneurs by offering a single point of contact for all banking services — including loans, cash management, corporate advisory and more,” OCBC Bank Head of Middle Market Enterprises Selwyn Lim tells The Edge.
Traditional banks often impose stringent requirements, such as requiring new ventures to operate for up to two years before being eligible for financing. OCBC Malaysia’s SE programme breaks this mould, providing a structured engagement approach that supports entrepreneurs from the outset.
“No other commercial bank offers an SE proposition combined with the level of support multi-business owners require.”
Through the OCBC Velocity business banking platform, customers gain access to a single login that offers a comprehensive overview of all their financial activities, simplifying operations and enhancing efficiency.
In an industry often defined by rigid systems and fragmented offerings, OCBC Malaysia’s SE programme stands out as a refreshing change, addressing the unique challenges faced by SEs and empowering them to thrive.
Bold targets for growth
OCBC Malaysia aims for SEs to comprise 50% of its middle market segment by 2025. To achieve this, the bank is refining its credit policies and introducing tailored multi-product bundles.
“We are ready to engage the market to communicate our SE programme’s benefits for business growth,” he adds.
The programme has already shown tangible results. For instance, it recently helped an SE in securing working capital to expand a central kitchen in the southern region, pivotal for their franchise network’s growth. The programme’s streamlined process minimised documentation requirements while offering competitive rates and flexible terms.
Regional expansion and digital innovation
OCBC Malaysia’s long-term plans for the SE programme include expanding into key regional markets, including Hong Kong and Indonesia. By continuously refining its offerings and staying in tune with the needs of SEs, OCBC aims to solidify its role as a trusted financial partner across borders.
The bank is also exploring digital innovations, such as an AI-powered advisory platform, to enhance digital account onboarding and deliver tailored solutions. Advanced digital tools, including the single sign-on feature on OCBC Velocity, provide entrepreneurs with a comprehensive view of all their businesses and financial activities, streamlining operations.
By offering personalised, data-driven banking solutions and expanding its digital capabilities, OCBC Malaysia’s SE programme is redefining how banks can support SEs and their ambitious growth journeys. This holistic approach not only provides financial solutions but also empowers entrepreneurs to realise their full potential.
With ambitious goals for growth and plans for regional expansion, the programme is setting the stage for a new era in banking, where innovation, personalised service and data-driven insights drive success. As they continue to refine their offerings and embrace cutting-edge technology, OCBC Malaysia is poised to become the go-to banking partner for SEs across the region.
Source: https://theedgemalaysia.com/content/advertise/revolutionising-support-for-multibusiness-owners-through-a-serial-entrepreneur-programme