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

Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone 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

Dr. Deborah K. Elms, Head of Trade Policy, Hinrich Foundation talks about the US initiating investigations into a number of economies.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Nigel Wong, President of MATTA, weighs in on the impact of Middle East tensions on Malaysia’s tourism sector.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Datuk Benson Lau, Managing Director of Varia Berhad discusses plans to turn the firm into a property developer and reach a RM1 billion market cap by early next year.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

We break down the day’s top news with expert insights.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Datuk William Ng, Chairman of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) discusses how SMEs are coping with rising Middle East tensions.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

Aidan Yao, Senior Investment Strategist, Asia, Amundi talks about investment strategies.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Muns and Pareesha, Co-Founders, The Wedding Diaries

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

1:00 PM

Breakfast Grille (REPEAT)

Datuk Benson Lau, Managing Director of Varia Berhad discusses plans to turn the firm into a property developer and reach a RM1 billion market cap by early next year.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Front Row

Tune in to find out about the latest happenings in the local arts scene, and get the lowdown on the best shows and exhibitions in town.

3:20 PM

Front Row

Tune in to find out about the latest happenings in the local arts scene, and get the lowdown on the best shows and exhibitions in town.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Doctor in the House

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

9:00 PM

The Selector