UOB set the standard in Singapore’s SME banking market in 2025 through a strategy focused on helping smaller businesses participate in larger supply chains, access regional opportunities and develop the capabilities needed to expand beyond their home market.
Drawing on nine decades of serving entrepreneurs and a network spanning eight Asean markets, the bank has built deep expertise in supporting cross-border trade, new market entry and supply-chain reconfiguration across the region.
Central to that strategy was UOB’s deep-tier financing approach. In 2025, SME supplier-spokes participating in UOB Infinity’s financial supply chain management ecosystem increased by 23% year-on-year. The bank also introduced a streamlined trade finance programme that assesses eligible SMEs using banking transaction data rather than traditional financial statements.
In the first six months of launch in 2025, close to SGD50 million ($38.7 million) of trade limits were approved for 75 small businesses, broadening access to cross-border trade and working capital financing.
UOB complemented these financing capabilities with investment in SME transformation and future readiness. Appointed a SkillsFuture Queen Bee champion in 2025, the bank expanded its SME Elevate Programme to help businesses strengthen their capabilities in AI, digitalisation and sustainability. By the end of 2025, 95 SMEs had been engaged through the programme, exceeding its first-year target, while demand was reflected in 145 programme sign-ups.
Digital capabilities reinforced this proposition. During 2025, 72% of SME account openings were completed online, 62% of unsecured loan applications were submitted digitally and more than 96% of SME customers were digitally active. UOB also expanded programmes supporting digitalisation and AI adoption, helping SMEs strengthen their competitiveness as they pursue growth opportunities.
