TBC Uzbekistan launches secured SME lending in Uzbekistan

TBC Uzbekistan has launched a secured lending product for small and medium-sized enterprises in Uzbekistan, expanding its digital business banking service, TBC Business.

The new offer gives SMEs access to secured loans of up to 12 billion Uzbek Soum, or about USD $1 million. It is aimed at businesses seeking larger amounts of finance than those available through the group's unsecured lending products.

Working capital loans are available for up to 36 months. Financing for investment products is available for up to 120 months, and borrowers can receive a grace period of up to 12 months under the lender's terms.

The launch adds to a business banking platform that has expanded since it began as a web-based service in late 2024. TBC Business has since introduced a dedicated mobile app and raised the ceiling for unsecured lending from 300 million Uzbek Soum, roughly USD $25,000, to 600 million Uzbek Soum, or around USD $50,000.

More than 30,000 SMEs have registered with TBC Business since the platform was introduced. The service is positioned as a fully digital option for business banking in Uzbekistan.

Nika Kurdiani, Chief Executive Officer, TBC Uzbekistan, said: "As businesses grow, entrepreneurs need access to larger loans to help them scale their business and fund longer-term projects, such as expanding production or purchasing equipment and commercial real estate. This new product was built to meet exactly that demand, giving businesses access to the financing needed to reach these larger-scale goals, all while keeping the same simple, fully digital customer journey that defines our products. This ultimately enables business owners to focus on what matters most: growing their companies."

Business build-out

The secured lending launch is part of a wider expansion of TBC Uzbekistan's business services. Earlier this year, the company added a payroll product that allows businesses to pay employees digitally at any time, including on holidays and weekends, and rolled out QR code payment functionality.

The group has also used acquisitions to strengthen its business banking offer. In 2025, it bought a majority stake in BILLZ, a retail management software company in Uzbekistan, in a move aimed at broadening the tools available to businesses using TBC Business.

TBC Uzbekistan operates across consumer and business financial services in the country. Its business banking activities sit alongside its consumer banking operations, which combine the TBC UZ digital banking service with the Payme payments platform.

Its broader customer base has grown to nearly 6 million monthly active users. TBC Uzbekistan is part of TBC Bank Group, which is listed in London and also operates financial services businesses in Georgia.

Entrepreneur focus

Alongside product expansion, TBC Uzbekistan has been investing in programmes intended to support entrepreneurs. These include a training initiative run with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that offers free practical sessions for business owners focused on knowledge and management skills.

The new lending product comes as lenders and financial technology groups in Central Asia seek to widen services for smaller businesses, a segment that often faces limited access to formal credit for expansion, equipment purchases, and property investment.

For TBC Uzbekistan, the latest launch marks another step in building its digital banking offer for companies as it seeks to deepen its presence in one of the region's largest markets by population.