Japan's MUFG to expand lending business in Thailand with Grab's big data

[TOKYO] Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group will start lending to Grab users and drivers in Thailand to monetise its US$706 million investment in the ride-hailing firm as growth in its home market slumps, its chief executive said.

MUFG agreed to invest in Grab in February but it incurred a one-off charge of about US$3.3 billion in the year through March due to a drop in the share price of its Asian units amid the coronavirus pandemic.

While MUFG has made a large investment in Southeast Asian banks as Japan faces demographic decline and ultra-low interest rates, Chief Executive Hironori Kamezawa suggested a change was afoot in the lender's overseas strategy.

"Since our investment phase is over, we are not considering making a big acquisition of commercial banks immediately but will harvest profits from the investments," said Mr Kamezawa, who took his post in April.

"I believe finance and other businesses will be fused in the future ... I will use Grab's data to establish new credit models and provide financial services through the super-app."

MUFG will start lending to Grab's users and drivers in Thailand from its local partner Bank of Ayudhya by March, Mr Kamezawa said, adding the new business model could be brought to Japan if successful.

MUFG has spent more than US$14 billion to buy 94.1 per cent of PT Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk, 76.9 per cent of Bank of Ayudhya, 20 per cent of Security Bank Corp of the Philippines and 19.7 per cent of Vietnam's VietinBank.

REUTERS