Neem, a prominent embedded finance platform in Pakistan, has announced securing a credit line of up to $4 million from HBL, the country’s largest bank. The partnership begins with an initial disbursement of Rs. 100 million under the total facility and aims to significantly expand Neem’s Shariah-compliant earned wage access offering, Neem Paymenow. This collaboration underscores both institutions’ commitment to strengthening financial dignity and resilience among Pakistan’s working population.
The newly signed facility is structured exclusively for advancing employee wages, reflecting HBL’s growing interest in fostering innovative financial wellness initiatives. It also highlights Neem’s position as a credible player in the earned wage access space. With this arrangement, Neem is poised to broaden the reach of Neem Paymenow, providing thousands of employees across industries such as retail, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and more with transparent, on-demand access to their salaries—without the pitfalls of hidden fees or debt traps.
Naeem Zamindar, Co-founder of Neem, shared that this development signals a fundamental transformation in how Pakistan’s financial sector views employee well-being. He noted that HBL’s trust in Neem demonstrates that financial wellness is no longer a privilege but an essential right. He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond merely advancing salaries; it is about advancing stability, dignity, and hope for countless hardworking Pakistanis who struggle under traditional pay cycles.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Faisal N. Lalani, Group Head Financial Institutions and Member Executive Committee at HBL, stated that the bank remains committed to supporting inclusive, innovative financial models that resonate with the needs and values of the Pakistani salaried segment. He pointed out that the partnership with Neem underlines HBL’s belief in responsible fintech solutions that empower employees with dignified, Shariah-compliant access to wages they have already earned.
In Pakistan, where more than 60 million individuals are employed and largely dependent on rigid monthly pay cycles, small financial shocks—whether from medical expenses or unexpected bills—can plunge families into hardship. Neem Paymenow offers an alternative by enabling employees to access a portion of their accrued income as needed. Unlike conventional borrowing options, this service is designed to prevent debt traps and is aligned with Islamic financial principles.
The platform also incorporates tools aimed at long-term financial health, offering in-app prompts that encourage users to budget, save, and build resilience. This holistic approach addresses essential living costs like rent, groceries, and utility bills, providing not only immediate relief but also supporting a more stable financial future for users.
With the strength of HBL behind it, Neem is now scaling partnerships with progressive organizations across Pakistan’s major urban centers. By doing so, it is introducing a much-needed financial wellness benefit that elevates the financial security and dignity of salaried workers, contributing to a more balanced and equitable economic ecosystem in Pakistan.