Network International and CBD Expand SME Financing Options in the UAE
This will provide eligible UAE-based SMEs and merchants a broader range of financing options for both long-term investment and day-to-day cash flow.
Network International, the leading fintech company across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) have expanded their merchant lending referral partnership beyond point-of-sale (POS) loans. This will provide eligible UAE-based SMEs and merchants a broader range of financing options for both long-term investment and day-to-day cash flow.
Eligible businesses can now finance their own commercial premises through commercial property financing, or access short-term funding through working capital loans that require no collateral. Eligibility also extends to small and relatively new businesses, bringing bank financing within reach of a wider range of enterprises, helping more SMEs invest with confidence, accelerate expansion, and contribute to the UAE’s economic growth.
Building on the existing POS lending referral partnership, the expanded offering brings commercial property financing and working capital loans into a single merchant proposition. By combining Network’s extensive merchant ecosystem with CBD’s banking expertise, the partnership creates a more connected financing experience that helps businesses access solutions aligned to different stages of their growth journey.
Together, these solutions address two of the most common financing priorities for growing businesses – investing in long-term assets and maintaining healthy cash flow. By supporting both objectives, the partnership aims to help SMEs strengthen financial resilience, pursue expansion opportunities and build a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.
“SMEs are central to the UAE’s economic growth, but many still need faster, more relevant access to financing that matches their stage of development. By expanding our partnership with CBD beyond POS loans to include commercial property and working capital financing, we are giving merchants practical routes to invest, manage liquidity, and scale their businesses through a relationship they already have with Network. This reflects our broader ambition to use our merchant platform, data-driven ecosystem, and banking partnerships to help businesses access the capital they need to grow.”
– Görkem Köseoğlu, Group Chief Customer and AI Officer, Network International
For CBD, the expansion builds on a long record of backing UAE businesses, supported by its digital platforms including iBusiness and UP by CBD, which help micro and small businesses across the UAE with integrated banking, payments, credit and financial management. Working with Network gives CBD a route to merchants where they already do business, with financing designed for different stages of growth.
The collaboration reinforces Network’s role in connecting merchants with financing from UAE banks, and CBD’s commitment to supporting business at different stages of growth. It also reflects Network’s broader evolution as a commerce enablement partner, bringing together payments, value-added services and banking partnerships to help businesses operate and expand, from accepting payments to accessing the capital to grow.
