Mastercard launches co-branded SME credit card with Southeast Bank, SSL Commerz

Mastercard, in collaboration with Southeast Bank PLC and SSL Commerz, has launched a co-branded SME credit card designed exclusively for PepsiCo's distributor Transcom Beverages Limited in Bangladesh.

This marks PepsiCo's first collaboration of its kind, bringing a seamless digital payment solution to its distributors.

The new card aims to empower distributors with easy access to credit, a seamless and secure digital payment experience, and efficient financial management tools, along with up to 45 days of free credit facilities.

The card will be uniquely tailored for distributors, offering a secure credit usage policy that strengthens credit management while enhancing their purchasing power and driving greater financial inclusion.

Md Mahbub Alam, additional managing director of Southeast Bank PLC; Syed Mohammad Kamal, country manager for Bangladesh at Mastercard; Pranav Mehta, managing director of PepsiCo Bangladesh; and Sayeeful Islam, managing director of SSL Wireless, jointly inaugurated the card in Dhaka today, according to a press release.

Commenting on the collaboration, Alam said, "Southeast Bank has always been dedicated to empowering businesses through innovative financial solutions. This co-branded card will help PepsiCo distributors manage finances more efficiently while promoting digital payment adoption."

Kamal said, "By connecting businesses to our global network and digital tools, we are not just facilitating transactions; we are driving transformation in an increasingly connected economy."

At the event, Mehta said, "This co-branded SME credit card will not only provide financial convenience but also strengthen the business ecosystem by offering our partners access to modern digital financial solutions."

Islam said, "By integrating our robust digital payment infrastructure with this co-branded SME credit card, we aim to boost distributors' financial agility and help them grow with confidence."

Gautam Aggarwal, president for South Asia at Mastercard; Munish Dhawan, country manager for beverages in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan at PepsiCo; Zakia Sultana, director for Bangladesh at Mastercard; and Jubaer Hossain, lead-merchant and commerce for Bangladesh at Mastercard, along with other senior officials from the four organisations, were also present.