Boost Bank recognised for AI-driven SME financing solutions at Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2026

Malaysia’s first homegrown digital bank implemented an AI voice assistant and data-driven credit assessment to support SME financing.

Boost Bank, Malaysia’s first homegrown digital bank, has been recognised with the AI - Financial Services category win at the Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2026 for its innovative approach to expanding financing access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The award highlights Boost Bank’s use of AI-led lead qualification and data-driven credit assessment to address one of the market’s most persistent challenges: enabling viable businesses, particularly those underserved by traditional models, to access financing in a simpler, faster, and more inclusive way.
 
MSMEs remain a vital pillar of Malaysia’s economy, contributing 39.5% of GDP, yet many continue to face structural barriers in obtaining timely financing. Traditional processes often involve extensive documentation, lengthy turnaround times, and rigid assessment models, all of which can slow business momentum at critical moments.
 
Boost Bank’s response has been to reimagine SME financing through a digital-first model designed around speed, accessibility, and practical business needs. Its financing offerings include a Term Loan of up to RM1m with tenures of up to 36 months and no collateral requirement, as well as a Revolving Credit facility that provides businesses with flexible access to working capital.
 
What differentiates the Bank’s approach is its ability to look beyond conventional credit markers. By incorporating alternative data sources such as transaction activity, and other behavioural indicators alongside standard documentation, Boost Bank is able to build a broader and more forward-looking view of creditworthiness. This enables more inclusive credit decisions whilst maintaining disciplined risk assessment.

A key part of this innovation is Bunga, Boost Bank’s agentic AI voice assistant launched in 2025. Bunga supports the earliest stage of the customer journey by engaging prospective borrowers, obtaining consent, and guiding them through a structured pre-qualification process based on the Bank’s credit and business rules. Designed with modular architecture, the solution also creates a strong foundation for future scalability across products and languages.
 
As of December 2025, Boost Bank had disbursed more than RM370m in SME financing, whilst Bunga processed over RM1m in financing applications within just three months of launch. These milestones reflect not only digital efficiency, but also Boost Bank’s broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses that are essential to Malaysia’s economic growth.
 
This recognition underscores Boost Bank’s belief that innovation in financial services must ultimately serve a larger purpose: making banking more responsive, more inclusive, and more relevant to the realities of businesses on the ground.

The Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards recognises exceptional companies at the forefront of technological innovation and digital transformation, playing a pivotal role in driving Malaysia's rapidly growing economy to greater heights.

The Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Danica Avila (+65) 3158 1386 or [email protected].