Financial infrastructure company Tala signed a $100 million partnership with ASEAN banking group CIMB to support its expansion in Vietnam, strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia (SEA). The partnership aims to provide credit services to Vietnamese consumers who have digital accounts but limited access to loans.
Tala and CIMB introduced a flexible credit line that allows qualified customers to borrow up to VND 30 million for approved spending. Each loan drawdown can run for up to 61 days, with borrowers allowed to choose repayment dates that match their financial plans.
Customers can also repay loans early without additional fees. The application and approval process is fully digital through Tala’s mobile app, which helps speed up loan disbursement. The loan firm uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess creditworthiness, approve applications, and release funds through its mobile app within minutes.
“Tala’s state-of-the-art proprietary technology combined with award-winning customer service makes us uniquely qualified to meet the financial needs of underserved Vietnamese,” said Shivani Siroya, CEO and founder of Tala.
Headquartered in the United States, Tala has more than 13 million customers and has disbursed $7 billion in loans across three continents over the past decade. Vietnam becomes the company’s newest market in Asia.
“I’ve seen first-hand the frustration and struggles caused by the lack of good credit options for everyday Vietnamese,” said Steven Truong, general manager of Tala Vietnam. “The partnership with CIMB will enable us to reach the underbanked with our app and continue to fulfill Tala’s mission.”
CIMB provides infrastructure, regulatory support, and local market knowledge, while Tala contributes its lending technology and experience in serving underbanked consumers. The companies said the partnership is designed to provide easier and faster access to credit.
Before entering Vietnam, Tala expanded into Southeast Asia through the Philippines, where it now serves 4.5 million customers. Since 2017, Tala has disbursed 28 million loans worth ₱137 billion in the country. The company also runs financial literacy programs and anti-fraud initiatives to support responsible lending and consumer protection.