Standard Chartered Malaysia and Standard Chartered Saadiq has introduced SC Women’s International Network “SC WIN”, a comprehensive proposition that aims to provide women entrepreneurs with tailored financial solutions, business education and opportunities to connect to a global network with like minded entrepreneurs.
This launch is the first in the Bank’s regional network following the successful rollout in India and Kenya. Specially curated to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses locally or globally, SC WIN also addresses common pain points they may face in the process of expanding their businesses while equipping them with the right tools and support to gain a more competitive
edge.
The programme covers three fundamental areas:
SCALE – Get access to capital and grow your business
- Flexible repayment options on unsecured business loans with a six-month principal moratorium in collaboration with Credit Guarantee Corp Malaysia Bhd (CGC) and
Guarantee Government Scheme Provider in Malaysia (SJPP). Loans are eligible for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are at least three years into their establishment with a minimum of RM2 million annual sales turnover. - Enjoy Priority Banking status, and Standard Chartered’s beyond-banking services and privileges where clients can tap into the Bank’s global network.
- Opportunity to earn up to 2.88% p.a. interest rate through the Smart Business$aver account.
CONNECT – Build a global network for better opportunities
- Build a global business network through cross-border business matching events and receive advisory services on setting up business overseas.
- Gain access to the Mastercard Academy: The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, which assists entrepreneurs to develop and learn invaluable business skills.
BELONG – Be part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs
Participate in specially curated business workshops and one-on-one coaching by
industry experts through the Bank’s collaboration with the National Association of
Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM).
Dedicated relationship manager to support clients’ business and personal banking
needs, accompanied with periodic market outlook reports.
Sammeer, Managing Director and Head of Consumer, Private and Business Banking at
Standard Chartered Malaysia commented, “Women-owned businesses constitute 20% of
the total SMEs in Malaysia and has grown rapidly over the years.
In support of the country’s push to drive more economic participation of women entrepreneurs, the launch of SC WIN is timely to help them benefit from the right opportunities, navigate challenges and, ultimately, achieve long-term sustainable growth.
This latest offering also demonstrates Standard Chartered’s continued commitment to gender equality, by tackling the many structural barriers that stand in the way of entrepreneurial women.”
Standard Chartered Malaysia has been a strong proponent in promoting gender equality
through various initiatives. The Bank launched WOWnita in 2019, a programme aimed at
providing financing for working capital to home-grown women entrepreneurs. In 2021,
Standard Chartered Malaysia also became the first bank in Malaysia to be awarded the
Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) certification, validating the Bank’s
commitment in creating a gender-equitable workplace.
As part of its efforts in giving back to the community, over 8,000 girls have benefitted from Goal, the Bank’s girl empowerment programme, in the past five years. Goal aims to provide adolescent girls with life-skills, confidence, and knowledge to become integral economic leaders in their families and communities.
In collaboration with the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) and Me.reka, the Bank has ongoing entrepreneurship programmes with targets to fulfil 50% of programme participants with women entrepreneurs.