Starting out in 1935, UOB has built a rich, long history, from serving the merchant community in Singapore’s early days as a trading hub to becoming a global bank serving businesses of all sizes today.
For the last nine decades, UOB – having started out as an SME itself – has developed an extensive network of long-term partnerships with its clients and is focused on building the future of ASEAN.
In solidifying its position as the One Bank for ASEAN, UOB stays committed to connecting businesses big and small, from ASEAN to Greater China and other parts of the world where their business needs lie, through its extensive trade network.
It is no surprise then, that as one of Asia’s leading banks with a legacy of almost a century, UOB was crowned not only the ‘Best SME Bank in Singapore’, but also as the ‘Best SME Bank in the World’, at the Global SME Banking Innovation Awards 2025.
Connecting businesses
With a network across ASEAN as well as over 470 global offices, the bank boasts a strong and extensive franchise to offer to SMEs that want to expand and grow their operations. To support businesses across segments, UOB drives a single-minded strategy and implementation plan for SME’s growth across all three key themes of Connectivity, Digital transformation and Business Sustainability. The bank has a team of sector specialists, as well as an integrated supply chain platform – UOB Infinity – which allows businesses to sync their entire value chain and have a complete overview of their trade and cash position across borders on a single interface.
This lies on top of an extensive offering of digital and face-to-face products and services exclusively catering to SMEs and their complex needs.
What made a significant impact for The Digital Banker’s judges to make their decision, was the number of initiatives UOB has set out to cater to businesses of all sizes – even within the SME segment. For smaller businesses, UOB goes beyond banking to help SMEs succeed, by connecting them to a broad network of industry peers, business partners and potential collaborators.
Going beyond standard expectations, UOB is also helping businesses on their transition to sustainability through the provision of an industry-first tool – the Sustainability Compass in preparation for emerging trends and access to a wider business network.
For start-ups and micro-enterprises, UOB offers a short tenor, cash advance loan, thus granting access to funding for businesses that were previously underserved or excluded. In the last couple of years since the launch of this product, UOB has seen a rapid growth in its MSME client portfolio, with a near-50% year-on-year growth seen as of November 2024.
Remarking on UOB’s win, Kavita Bedi, Managing Director and Head, Group Business Banking, UOB, said during the awards ceremony: “Thank you to The Digital Banker for recognising UOB as the world’s best and Singapore’s best SME bank.
“With our experience in partnering SMEs for the last 90 years, UOB will continue to drive growth for our clients. We will continue to connect them through our extensive trade network to fast-growing sectors and opportunities within the region, to greater China and beyond.
“We will also continue partnering SMEs to develop resilience through digital transformation and achieving sustainable growth. Finally, a big thank you to all our staff and all our clients for their long-term partnership and trust in us as the one bank for ASEAN.”
In awarding this title to UOB, The Digital Banker recognises not only exceptional performance, but a clear vision for the future of SME banking. UOB has set a global benchmark through its commitment to innovation, digital excellence and genuine partnership with the SMEs it serves.
