Dubai-based banking giant Mashreq and UAE fintech Cashew are deepening their collaboration, moving beyond typical small-ticket buy-now-pay-later transactions to launch a new embedded lending framework. The partnership will offer consumers instant financing for higher-value purchases, providing loans of up to AED 150,000 at the point of need.
Quick Facts
- Financing available up to AED 150,000.
- Repayment tenures extend up to 48 months.
- Targets automotive, healthcare, education, and home improvement sectors.
Combining Banking Muscle with Fintech Agility
The new framework directly integrates Cashew’s digital platform infrastructure with Mashreq’s established and regulated lending capabilities. This allows the partnership to handle the entire financing lifecycle, from credit decisioning and risk governance to disbursing funds directly to merchants with minimal friction.
For consumers, the process promises near-instant approvals with clear and transparent terms, addressing a significant market need for accessible financing on major life purchases.
Fernando Morillo, Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq, commented on the strategic move.
“By working together, we are positioning ourselves as a regulated lender capable of supporting higher-value consumer lending within third-party platforms, while helping to build scalable frameworks that can support the evolving needs of consumers and merchants across the UAE.”
Tackling High-Value Purchases at the Point-of-Sale
As BNPL gains wider acceptance in the region, this model expands the pay-later concept to essential and big-ticket spending categories. Instead of just financing consumer electronics or fashion, the collaboration is focused on critical areas like automotive services, home improvement projects, healthcare procedures, education fees, and other significant lifestyle expenses.
Ammar Afif, Founder and CEO of Cashew, emphasized the importance of a strong institutional partner for sustainable growth.
“Our partnership with Mashreq provides the institutional backing required to ensure robust risk governance, scalable funding, and the infrastructure necessary to support responsible growth.”
About Cashew
Cashew is a UAE-based financial technology company that provides buy-now-pay-later and embedded financing solutions for merchants and consumers across the region. The platform aims to offer flexible and transparent payment options at the point of sale.
About Mashreq
Mashreq is one of the UAE’s leading financial institutions and a prominent bank in the Middle East. With over five decades of experience, it offers a diversified range of products and services including corporate, retail, and Islamic banking.
Source: Fintechnews AE
