BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  AI Meets Microfinance? Bee Informatica’s SME Lending Model

AI Meets Microfinance? Bee Informatica’s SME Lending Model

Fumiko Inada, Co-Founder and CEO, Bee Informatica

17-Mar-25 10:00

AI Meets Microfinance? Bee Informatica’s SME Lending Model

Securing financing can be a major hurdle for SMEs, especially those without traditional collateral. Enter Bee Informatica, a digital microfinance platform blending AI-driven credit assessments with microloan principles to provide quick, unsecured loans to underserved businesses in Malaysia. Fumiko Inada, Co-Founder and CEO of Bee Informatica, joins us to share how the company is reshaping SME financing with AI-powered risk assessment, its approach to responsible lending, and how it maintains a low non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of just 1.4%.

We also discuss the expected impact of Malaysia’s upcoming Consumer Credit Act, how Bee Informatica differentiates itself from banks and P2P lenders, and what the future holds, including expansion plans and a potential IPO in Tokyo by 2030.

Produced by: Carol Wong, Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  marketsWomen in BusinessinternationaleconomySMEentrepreneurs

Tags:  AI-powered microfinanceSME lendingfintech Malaysiadigital credit assessmentalternative financing





Play / Pause

Listen now : The 6AM Stretch: Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro Butler Newsletter tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Peter Chia, Senior FX Strategist, UOB discusses the performance of both the US dollar and regional currencies.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Shazrul Ariff Suhaimi of Khazanah Research Institute shares his views on Malaysia’s efforts to reform TVET through SKM framework changes and improved apprentice wages.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dato' Lee Gaik Cheng, Managing Director, PMCK Bhd

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Varun Mittal of Fintech Nation talks about the latest developments in the global crypto space.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) We dive into the local and international news that matters to you.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer, The Macro Butler Newsletter tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Tanya Tai of Deloitte discusses how brands can capture and maintain consumer attention in today’s fast-paced social media landscape.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

LeapIn's founder Sara Zhu explains how their AI video analysis platform is revolutionizing hiring with a focus on skills, not CVs, boasting 100% enterprise client retention.

11:05 AM

P&L

Project Manager Preeta Nair explains why projects fail and how AI is becoming a critical tool to prevent costly mistakes and ensure success.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Economist Dr. Carmelo Ferlito challenges modern monetary policy, arguing why a focus on price stability is not enough and what a truly stable economy requires.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Dato' Lee Gaik Cheng, Managing Director, PMCK Bhd

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

The Bonn climate talks concluded with more gaps than gains, raising concerns for developing nations and the 1.5°C global warming limit on the road to COP30. Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, helps to unpack these implications.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Are students today under too much pressure, or simply not able to cope with stress? We get thoughts and tips from a licensed counsellor.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Today I Learned

Are you constantly in search of the rare and ultimate Labubu? Or maybe you’re one of those who doesn’t understand why people are? We unpack this trend.

7:00 PM

BBC World Service

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture