Opportunity International Chooses Mambu's Cloud Banking Platform for SME Business Lending in China

HONG KONG, May 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Global microfinance network makes strategic move to cloud and mobile 

Mambu, the cloud banking platform provider, has been selected by Opportunity International, the global microfinance network, as its core banking platform for small and medium business lending in China. Opportunity International (OI) is Mambu's first customer in China.

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Building on its microcredit heritage, OI China is expanding its small business lending capabilities to help provide working capital to this sector. It offers loans of US$20,000 up to US$1 million to small and medium-sized business, some of which have more than 100 employees, in a drive to support job creation that supports greater financial inclusion.

OI China sought a cloud-native platform that could support rapid new product development, get to market quickly, and easily integrate with mobile, a key channel as the organisation looks to improve its reach in rural China.

"Leveraging cloud technology and greater integration with mobile channels were key goals in our strategic roadmap for 2014 and Mambu's cloud banking platform offered us the perfect solution in both areas," said Robert Westcott, chief information officer at Opportunity International. "For OI China in particular, we wanted a platform that enables us to operate more efficiently and effectively, and expand our services to more clients quickly. To do that we needed a modern technology solution that would enable us to rapidly create, launch and service appropriate loan products so we can have a greater impact on lives. Mambu delivers that business agility."

In order to support OI China, Mambu established a Chinese cloud environment with Alibaba's Aliyun cloud, the servers and datacentres for which are located in Beijing, China.

"With nearly two thirds of the world's micro, small and medium businesses currently underserved, there is no doubt about the size of the opportunity, yet reaching this market has proved challenging in the past, as providers are constrained by inflexible systems that just can't support business needs," said Eugene Danilkis, co-founder and chief executive at Mambu. "Opportunity International is a forward-thinking organisation that has recognised the value and impact that Mambu's cloud banking platform can bring to its business operations, allowing it to rapidly develop and extend its capabilities so they can focus on their vision of creating a world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve a life free from poverty."    

About Opportunity International 

Opportunity International is a global non-profit organization that helps people in developing nations work their way out of poverty, strengthen their families and improve their communities. The organization currently provides loans, savings programs, insurance and other financial services and training to more than 5 million clients in 22 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Clients use the resources to expand businesses, provide for their families and create jobs in their communities. The U.S. headquarters of Opportunity International are in Oak Brook, Ill., with other key offices in Australia, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. The organization proudly employs more than 17,500 people around the world. Discover more: http://www.opportunity.org or join the conversation at http://facebook.com/opportunityintl and http://twitter.com/opportunityintl.

About Mambu  

Mambu enables innovative banking providers to rapidly create, launch and service loan and deposit products through its agile, flexible and affordable cloud banking platform. An alternative to legacy core banking software, Mambu accelerates time to market for new consumer and SME banking products via innovative channels, at a fraction of the cost. Established in 2011, the company works with more than 100 institutions in 30 countries worldwide, servicing a portfolio of more than a million accounts. Our clients range from microfinance organizations to financial innovators and digital banking disruptors seeking to extend banking services to underserved markets around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.mambu.com or follow us on Twitter @mambu_com

SOURCE Mambu