Mashreq Bank Pakistan has introduced NEO BIZ, a digital banking platform designed specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Approximately 7.14 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operate within Pakistan.
These businesses contribute nearly 40% to the gross domestic product and account for 30% of the country's exports. More than 80% of the non-agricultural workforce is employed by MSMEs.
Outstanding financing for the SME sector reached roughly Rs882 billion as of 31 December 2025. Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad stated that "Pakistan's SME sector is both dynamic and under-served, with significant gaps in access, awareness and digital capability."
Sajjad also noted that businesses often maintained bookkeeping records that banks did not consider reliable enough for lending decisions. NEO BIZ provides tools for managing payments, collections, and opening business accounts digitally.
The service roadmap includes features such as payroll solutions, transaction analytics, invoicing, and virtual cards. Future developments for the platform will incorporate tax facilitation, supply-chain services, and cash-flow-based financing.
Banks can secure liquidity by holding government securities while participating in State Bank of Pakistan open market operations.
