- New model developed by fintech-to-fintech deal between the UK and Bangladesh
- Partnership between UK-based AGAM International and Bangladesh’s Software Shop Limited (SSL)
- Designed to accelerate access to credit, revolutionise customer loan experience and grow market share
Cardiff, Dhaka, 20 March, 2023 – UK based fintech AGAM International has entered a ground-breaking partnership with Bangladesh’s largest payments gateway system, Software Shop Limited (SSL), to revolutionise the lending experience within its merchant and partner network.
The collaboration will see AGAM facilitate instant, end-to-end digital lending (via partner banks) for SSL’s merchant, corporate and their employee base. Lending will range from nano loans, BNPL (buy now pay later), and EWA (earned wage access). Each powered by AGAM International’s innovative credit scoring system.
This new highly-sophisticated behavioural-insights’ based AI credit scoring algorithm has been developed by AGAM International. It will enable its partner banks and financial institutions to make rapid and accurate lending decisions.
The new model, when combined with SSL’s platform(s) such as, SSLCOMMERZ and Easy Merchant will provide immediate access to working capital for SSL’s merchants, thereby fuelling the economy and economic futures of small and medium businesses.
SSL and AGAM International will undergo integration for a seamless customer experience. AGAM International will play the role of product producer and developer and SSL will act as the systems integrator, sales partner or reseller to reach SSL customers and clients, which include corporations, banks and financial institutions.
AGAM (which means ‘advance’ in Bangla) has a mission to advance the lives and livelihoods of its customers.
AGAM International CEO and Founder Shabnam Wazed, said: “The synergy between SSL’s strong platforms and network of merchants, alongside AGAM International’s bank-grade technology, will make access to finance for customers, merchants, and employees of enterprises and corporates instant and seamless. We are excited to be working with SSL to transform the lending landscape in Bangladesh.”
SSL’s Director, Shahzada Redwan, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with AGAM International, a fintech that shares our vision for digital financial inclusion. This strategic alliance will not only enable us to expand and enhance our product offerings but also empower our merchants, partners, and customers with cutting-edge financial solutions in lending. By leveraging AGAM International’s capabilities, we are confident that we will redefine the lending experience in Bangladesh, driving growth and financial inclusion for all.
AGAM International:
AGAM International enables financial institutions in growth markets to accelerate the digitalisation of products and services to their customers through its Banking-as-a-Service platform.
AGAM, which means advance in Bangla, puts financial empowerment and responsibility directly in the hands of individuals and businesses. Its platform is powered by its dynamic AI credit scoring algorithm, enabling lending to a broader community. Customers are supported in their financial journey with AGAM International’s digital mentoring app to become more bankable, improving both financial literacy and credit scores. The company’s scalable neo banking model provides transparent, dynamic, de-risked credit decisions for financial institutions.
This all supports AGAM International’s wider mission to make banking and finance available to all, advancing lives and livelihoods.
Founded by female CEO, Shabnam Wazed, AGAM International is head quartered in Cardiff, UK, and operational in Bangladesh, with plans to scale into other growth markets. Wazed is supported by a senior management team including: Chair, Nish Kotecha, an entrepreneur, banking and board professional; and, Chief Technology Officer, Rohit Sankhe. The management have a combined experience of over 40 years. The company closed its latest funding round in November 2022, with international investors led by the Development Bank of Wales. AGAM International has also been backed via the UK Department for International Trade’s Global Entrepreneur programme, Invest UK and the FinTech Wales Foundry Accelerator programme.
AGAM International was the joint winner of the Global Fintech DIT (UK) Award, 2021 and Shabnam Wazed won Computing’s Women in Tech Excellence Award 2022.
Software Shop Limited (SSL)
Software Shop Limited (‘99) is one of the leading technology companies in Bangladesh that specialises in software development and IT-enabled services, with a strong presence in fintech and digital payment industries. As a sister concern of Concord Garments Group (‘79), SSL has been operating for the past 22 years. SSL’s payment gateway service, SSLCOMMERZ (‘10), provides more than 35 payment channels in Bangladesh, allowing merchants to receive digital payments through cards, mobile financial services (MFS), net banking, and e-wallets. SSL obtained the PSO (Payment System Operator) license from Bangladesh Bank in 2016 for payment gateway operation, and completed PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certification in 2017. In accordance with the guidelines of Bangladesh Bank, SSL started working on the Bangla QR payment system in 2020, which allows SME/MSME entrepreneurs to receive payments by scanning a QR code.
SSL provides innovative and secure solutions for digital payments, e-commerce, and digital financial services. SSL is also a pioneer in areas such as software development, SMS and mobile banking, digital communications, mobile financial services, e-commerce services, fintech solutions, cybersecurity solutions, mobile value-added services, etc.
The current clientele of SSL include: 150+ banks and financial companies, 5,000+ online e-commerce businesses, 20+ government institutions and NGOs, 150,000+ retail businesses and shopkeepers, and 2,100+ corporations, among others.
SSL is committed to ensuring financial inclusion and growth in Bangladesh and is one of the licensed Payment System Operators (PSOs) by Bangladesh Bank. In addition to the PSO license, SSL has other licenses and global standard certifications such as, SMS aggregation, Telecom VAS, Call center, CMMi Level-3, ISO 27001, etc.
SSL has won several national and international awards for its innovative and ground-breaking services over the years including winning the National ICT Award as a Champion twice.
For more information about SSL, visit https://www.sslwireless.com, https://www.sslcommerz.com.
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