From Akulaku to Skyro: Why Fintech Lenders Are More Popular Than Banks in Southeast Asia

Source: International Business Times

Source: Canva In Southeast Asia, a region of more than 700 million people, fintech lenders are crowding out traditional banks in the consumer lending market by offering faster, more accessible financial services through mobile platforms. The region's fintech market has reached $1 trillion in 2025, according to UnaFinancial estimates, while digital lending – the fastest-growing segment – has expanded by over 40%, showing one of the fastest growth paces globally. These numbers reflect a deeper transformation: in Southeast Asia, access to credit is increasingly determined not by banking history, but by digital footprint.