# Grab buys into Atome to widen lending in Southeast Asia

> Grab is paying US$1.49 billion for control of Atome, a move aimed at reaching borrowers outside traditional banking.
- Title: Grab buys into Atome to widen lending in Southeast Asia
- Summary: Grab is paying US$1.49 billion for control of Atome, a move aimed at reaching borrowers outside traditional banking. Grab wants Atome’s lending tech and…
- Keywords: grab holdings, atome financial, southeast asia, singapore, bnpl, consumer lending, digital finance, unbanked, underbanked, alex hungate, jefferson chen, world bank
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/money/2026/09/16/grab-expands-southeast-asia-lending-reach-with-us149b-atome-deal/235360
- Published: 2026-09-16T09:01:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: grab holdings, atome financial, southeast asia, singapore, bnpl, consumer lending, digital finance, unbanked, underbanked, alex hungate, jefferson chen, world bank
## Grab makes its move
Grab Holdings plans to buy a controlling stake in Atome Financial for US$1.49 billion, pushing deeper into digital finance across Southeast Asia.

> seeking to expand access to loans for users across Southeast Asia
## The stake is 60pc
The proposed deal would give Grab a 60 percent equity interest in Atome Financial, one of the region’s major buy-now-pay-later and consumer lending groups.

> The proposed deal will give Grab a 60-percent equity interest in Atome Financial.
## Two finance arms combine
If completed, Atome’s BNPL loans, cash loans, BNPL cards and digital lending would be combined with Grab’s existing financial services business.

> BNPL loans, consumer cash loans, BNPL cards and digital lending
## Everyday credit is the goal
The companies want to build financing products for daily needs, especially for people who lack formal credit histories and cannot easily use banks.

> extending access to millions without a formal credit history
## Grab gets lending scale
Atome gives Grab a ready consumer lending platform. In return, Atome can use Grab’s ride-hailing, delivery and regional app network to reach more customers.

> Atome will tap into Grab’s regional ecosystem
## AI powers the pitch
Atome CEO Jefferson Chen said the firm’s AI lending infrastructure can reach millions more when paired with Grab’s customer base across Southeast Asia.

> our proven AI-powered lending infrastructure
## The gap is still huge
World Bank figures show bank account ownership has grown, but about 1.3 billion adults globally remain unbanked. Indonesia and rural workers remain key gaps.

> about 1.3 billion adults globally remained unbanked
## Key takeaway

Grab wants Atome’s lending tech and customer base to turn its regional app ecosystem into a bigger consumer finance channel.