SME Digital CEO Badhurudheen Hassan has stated that several initiatives are underway to improve customer services following the transfer of the former SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) under Bank of Maldives (BML) and its rebranding as SME Digital.

Speaking on the Trade Desk programme, Badhurudheen said the company has shifted to a “relationship banking” model, where each customer is assigned a dedicated staff member to handle their services. He said the change has made it easier for customers to communicate directly with one employee instead of dealing with multiple staff members.

According to the CEO, SME Digital continues to operate under its own board and management despite functioning as a subsidiary of BML, with several operational reforms introduced to improve customer experience and governance standards.

Badhurudheen stated that the company is also revising its internal policies to align with standards set by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). As part of efforts to integrate services with BML systems, customers can now repay SME Digital loans through the BML app.

The CEO further noted that SME Digital and BML are expanding Islamic finance services, with plans to transform SME Digital into a fully Shariah-compliant financial institution. He said the company has established a Shariah Advisory Board consisting of experts with experience serving on the Shariah boards of international banks.

Badhurudheen also revealed that SME Digital is working to introduce Shariah-compliant refinancing services for customers facing repayment difficulties.