Maybank expands digital support for F&B businesses via MAE app

KUALA LUMPUR – Maybank has announced that it has integrated its online Sama-Sama Lokal marketplace into its MAE app to further assist small and medium-sized F&B enterprises (F&B SMEs).

It is part of the bank’s continued drive to deliver practical digital solutions to both its individual and SME customers as well as provide businesses with complementary support and solutions beyond traditional banking services.

Maybank’s group chief executive officer of community financial services Datuk John Chong said to stay agile in the post-pandemic landscape, brick-and-mortar businesses need to digitalise to remain visible to customers and future-proof their businesses.

“This omni-channel approach will also help SMEs buffer against any unforeseen shock in the future. Sama-Sama Lokal is an easy and commitment-free platform for SMEs who are taking the first step to digitalise their business,” he said in a statement on January 20.

Dato’ John added that the growing demand for food delivery services via Sama-Sama Lokal proves that digital platforms will continue to play an important role in serving the needs of the average consumer.

According to the Google-commissioned Kantar SEA e-Conomy Research 2021, online services such as food delivery grew by 47% last year and contributed significantly to the internet economy in Malaysia.

Sama-Sama Lokal, Maybank’s zero commission online marketplace, was developed during the first movement control order in April 2020 to assist neighbourhood businesses which were suffering from a decline in sales owing to reduced footfall.

Today, the platform has close to 14,000 merchants, which benefit from being connected to the bank’s 12 million customer base.

To further drive sales for F&B SMEs in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year festive season as well as celebrate the introduction of Sama-Sama Lokal on the MAE app, Maybank is launching two promotions in the next two months for the benefit of its customers.