Main Initiatives
Building a Digital Financial Platform in Asia
The need for digital financial services has grown rapidly in Asia against the backdrop of the proliferation of the internet and smartphones. To capture the growth of consumer finance in Asia, which is expected to further digitalize, and to capture the future leader in the field, MUFG has started strategic investment in digital finance services providers to build a foundation for the digital financial platform.
Under the new MTBP, we will pursue strategic investment opportunities for digital finance services providers under the “Asia x Digital” strategy. By focusing on supporting the growth of investees, we will capture the development of digital financial services in Asia that could not be fully captured through conventional financial services and contribute to financial inclusion in the region.
In addition, we will promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among the investee digital finance services providers, partner banks, and MUFG group companies, aiming to build MUFG’s unique digital economic sphere, which will also include external partners.
Enhanced Economic Security of the Unbanked in Emerging Markets
MUFG also focuses on accumulating expertise in consumer finance acquired through investments in digital finance service providers, knowledge sharing, and creating synergies among investees.
This has led to the formulation of a unique ecosystem called MODE (MUFG Openly-connected Digital Ecosystem). By using these activities to expand opportunities to provide digital lending, we aim to promote financial inclusion and contribute to improving the economic stability of the unbanked population in emerging economies. To enhance value for the MUFG Group as a whole, we will further promote cooperation and collaboration among entities within the MUFG ecosystem, including investees, partner banks, and MUFG Group companies.
Partner Bank
Provision of Microfinance through HATTHA Bank Plc.
Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya), our Partner Bank in Thailand, provides opportunities for customers in emerging and developing countries to access financial services through its microfinance institution in Cambodia, HATTHA Bank Plc (HTB), and others.
In addition to providing microfinance, HTB also provides financial education to those with low-income, which contributes to improving their living standards.
Issuance of Gender Bonds by Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya)
Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya), our Partner Bank in Thailand, has issued social bonds (gender bonds) to support the financial needs of women entrepreneurs.
Proceeds from the bond issuance are used to finance women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in Thailand. Through the issuance of these bonds, the bank provided opportunities for the underserved women in SME segment to access financial services and contributed to the development of the fast-growing social bond market in Asia.
