Neem, a prominent embedded finance platform in Pakistan, has announced that it has secured a significant credit facility of up to $4 million from HBL, the country’s leading bank. This strategic move aims to expand Neem’s Shariah-compliant earned wage access solution, Neem Paymenow, and signals a deepening collaboration between traditional banking and fintech to drive financial resilience and dignity for Pakistan’s salaried workforce.
The agreement begins with an initial Rs. 100 million term sheet, marking the first tranche under the larger facility. This milestone underscores Neem’s credibility in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving financial services landscape and HBL’s growing commitment to support innovative solutions that cater to the economic realities of millions of working Pakistanis. Through this facility, Neem plans to significantly scale access to on-demand salaries across diverse sectors including retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.
Speaking on the development, Naeem Zamindar, Co-founder of Neem, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative. He noted that Pakistan is undergoing a fundamental shift in how financial institutions perceive employee well-being, moving from viewing it as a peripheral concern to recognizing it as a core necessity. “HBL’s backing validates our belief that financial wellness isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. We are not just advancing salaries; we are advancing dignity, stability, and hope for hardworking Pakistanis,” Zamindar said.
For HBL, this partnership represents a strategic alignment with their mission to champion financial inclusion and support responsible fintech innovation. Mr. Faisal N. Lalani, Group Head Financial Institutions & Member Executive Committee at HBL, emphasized that the facility is tailored specifically for employee wage advances. “At HBL, we are committed to supporting innovative, inclusive financial solutions that align with the values and needs of the Pakistani salaried workforce. Our partnership with Neem underscores our belief in responsible fintech that empowers salaried individuals with dignified, Shariah-compliant access to their earned income,” he stated.
Pakistan’s economic backdrop makes such initiatives particularly timely. With more than 60 million employed individuals, most depend heavily on fixed monthly pay cycles to meet household needs. Rising living costs and shrinking real incomes mean that even minor unexpected expenses, like a medical emergency or an urgent utility bill, can severely strain families’ finances. Neem Paymenow offers these workers a lifeline by providing timely, transparent, and Shariah-compliant access to wages they have already earned, without trapping them in debt cycles or subjecting them to hidden fees.
Beyond simple salary advances, Neem Paymenow incorporates thoughtful features designed to enhance long-term financial health. Users receive gentle nudges to budget, save, and prepare for future expenses, fostering habits that build resilience. The solution caters to real-life needs, helping families manage essential costs such as rent, groceries, and school fees, thereby supporting both immediate relief and broader financial dignity.
With HBL’s financial strength backing Neem’s technological expertise, this collaboration is set to transform how salaried employees across Pakistan interact with their earnings. By partnering with progressive organisations throughout major cities, Neem is driving the adoption of earned wage access as a standard financial wellness benefit. This initiative not only serves to improve cash flow for employees but also strengthens trust and loyalty within the workplace, fostering a more equitable and secure financial ecosystem in Pakistan.
