Asia Pacific (APAC) is at the epicenter of a digital banking revolution, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) representing the backbone of the region’s economies. Yet, three out of four people in Southeast Asia alone have insufficient access to financial services, and many SMEs remain underserved by traditional banks. The rapid rise of digital-first competitors, regulatory diversity, and the imperative for financial inclusion are reshaping the landscape. For banks serving SMEs, the challenge is clear: transform quickly and safely, or risk being left behind.
Publicis Sapient, in partnership with Tuum, is uniquely positioned to help banks across APAC accelerate their SME banking transformation. By leveraging modular, cloud-native core banking solutions, we empower financial institutions to modernize at speed, reduce costs, and deliver the digital experiences SMEs demand.
Despite the region’s economic dynamism, a significant portion of SMEs in APAC remain unbanked or underbanked. This gap is especially pronounced in Southeast Asia, where accessible digital offerings are a key differentiator. As David Murphy, Head of Financial Services for EMEA & APAC at Publicis Sapient, notes: “Institutions that develop accessible digital offerings quickly will have a significant advantage.”
APAC’s regulatory environment is highly fragmented, with each market presenting unique compliance requirements. Banks must balance the need for rapid innovation with strict adherence to local and international regulations. This complexity demands flexible, modular solutions that can be tailored to each jurisdiction.
Challenger banks and fintechs are redefining customer expectations, offering seamless, always-on digital experiences. Incumbent banks must respond by rethinking their operating models, modernizing legacy systems, and harnessing the power of data to deliver value-added services to SMEs.
Publicis Sapient and Tuum’s partnership brings together deep regional expertise and cutting-edge technology. Tuum’s modular core banking platform allows banks to select transformation areas based on their strategic priorities, reducing both costs and development time. This composable approach enables:
A major Thai bank partnered with Publicis Sapient to go beyond a new app, seeking a new business model and robust technical foundation. In just 12 weeks, a multidisciplinary team delivered a front-to-back banking platform, connecting mobile, payments, and real-time data. The result: the bank can now adapt quickly to market changes, launch new SME products at speed, and meet evolving customer expectations—all while adhering to strict regulatory obligations.
In Southeast Asia, Publicis Sapient helped Siam Commercial Bank launch XPlatform, a one-stop cloud and DevOps solution. This platform streamlines developer processes and accelerates the creation of innovative digital banking products, empowering the bank to better serve SMEs and retail customers alike.
Australian banks are also embracing digital transformation to drive down costs and risks while elevating customer experience. Publicis Sapient’s work in the region highlights the importance of lifecycle-led design and the integration of financial well-being into digital offerings, ensuring that SME banking goes beyond transactions to deliver real value.
Publicis Sapient’s regional leadership—including David Murphy (EMEA & APAC), Tales Sian Lopes (Australia & New Zealand), and Tyler Muñoz (ASEAN)—bring deep local knowledge and a track record of delivering transformative results for banks across APAC. Their insights underscore the importance of agility, partnership, and a relentless focus on customer outcomes.
The future of SME banking in Asia Pacific belongs to those who can adapt, innovate, and put the customer at the center of everything they do. With Publicis Sapient and Tuum, banks can accelerate their digital transformation journeys, unlock new growth opportunities, and deliver the experiences that SMEs need to thrive in a digital-first world.
Ready to accelerate your SME banking transformation in APAC? Connect with our experts to start your journey today.
Publicis Sapient: Your partner for digital banking transformation across Asia Pacific.
Contact our regional experts:
Let’s build the future of SME banking—together.