Mashreq, a leading bank in the MENA region, officially launched NEO BIZ in Pakistan, a digital banking offering for small and medium-sized enterprises, sole proprietors and self-employed professionals.
Pakistan hosts about 7.14 million micro, small and medium enterprises, which contribute roughly 40% of GDP, 30% of exports and employ over 80% of the non-agricultural workforce. Yet formal financing is scarce; outstanding SME loans were about PKR 882 billion as of December 2025. Credit access has grown, but many gaps remain for inclusive, digital financial services.
NEO BIZ sits at the crossroads of economic opportunity and digital change, reflecting Mashreq's aim to spur business growth through innovation and cross-market cooperation. Leveraging the bank's international expertise, the service seeks to simplify financial management for Pakistani firms and boost participation in the formal digital economy.
Fernando Morillo, Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq, said: "Across our international markets, we have seen how digital-first banking models can transform the way businesses operate, improving efficiency, transparency and access to financial services. NEO BIZ builds on this global experience, combining strong commercial capabilities with a scalable platform designed to meet the needs of SMEs. Pakistan represents a high-potential market and NEO BIZ is an important step in extending our global business banking proposition into a rapidly evolving digital economy."
The solution bundles digital business banking, payments, collections and a growing suite of value-added services in one ecosystem. Eligible firms can open and run accounts online, cutting down branch visits and easing routine transactions. Future features include business debit and virtual cards, payroll, invoice-based payments, transaction analytics and bookkeeping tools.
Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad, CEO of Mashreq Bank Pakistan, noted: "Pakistan's SME sector is both dynamic and under-served, with significant gaps in access, awareness and digital capability. With NEO BIZ, we are introducing a platform that is built specifically for the realities of this market, one that simplifies banking, reduces dependency on physical channels and supports businesses as they grow. This launch is a natural extension of our commitment to Pakistan and aligns with our broader vision of enabling financial inclusion and supporting the country's economic transformation through digital innovation."
The platform is planned to evolve into a connected business ecosystem via Banking-as-a-Service and strategic partners, adding bookkeeping, supply-chain tools, tax facilitation, analytics, invoicing and cash-flow-based financing. A phased rollout aims to cut operational complexity, boost efficiency and serve entrepreneurs at various growth stages.
Syed Jaffar Abbas Shirazi, Head of NEO BIZ, explained: "NEO BIZ has been designed with a clear understanding of the challenges SMEs face today, from fragmented financial tools and limited product visibility to barriers in accessing financing. Our approach is to bring everything into a single, integrated platform that allows businesses to manage their financial operations seamlessly. From instant account opening and payments to advanced tools such as analytics, invoicing and bookkeeping, NEO BIZ is built to move beyond traditional banking and become a true business enabler."
Distribution will use digital channels, strategic partnerships and phygital touchpoints to reach a wide SME audience and allow Mashreq to expand across Pakistan's business landscape.
Through this launch, Mashreq seeks to speed up SME adoption of digital financial services, increase digital payment use, back entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals, and aid Pakistan's shift toward a more inclusive, transparent and digitally linked economy.
