In the dynamic landscape of Malaysia's digital economy, GHL Systems Berhad has established itself as a pivotal force, particularly within the payment services sector. Listed on Bursa Malaysia under the code 0021, GHL's operations span a comprehensive ecosystem of merchant acquiring, hardware and software solutions, and crucial value-added services, including financing options for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
GHL Systems Berhad: A Leader in Malaysian Digital Payments and SME Lending
GHL Systems Berhad, incorporated in Malaysia in 1994, has grown to become the leading ASEAN payment services provider. With over four hundred eighty thousand payment touchpoints across six countries, the company serves tens of thousands of merchants every month. While widely recognized for its robust payment infrastructure, GHL also plays a role in supporting Malaysian businesses through its targeted financial services, specifically short-term SME loans.
Company Background and Evolution
The company's legal name is GHL Systems Berhad (Company No. 199401007361 (293040-D)). Its business model is diversified into three core segments:
- Transaction Payment Acquisition (TPA): This involves merchant acquiring for both card and e-wallet transactions, applicable in-store and online. Revenue here is generated through merchant discount rates and scheme fees.
- Shared Services: This segment focuses on the sale, rental, and maintenance of electronic data capture (EDC) terminals and various payment devices.
- Solution Services: Beyond payment processing, GHL develops custom online platforms, loyalty programs, bill-collection services, and crucially, loan-repayment solutions. This is the segment where their SME lending initiatives are housed.
GHL primarily targets micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) alongside large merchants across its operational footprint, with Malaysia contributing a substantial seventy-seven percent of its four hundred sixty point four million Malaysian Ringgit revenue in 2023. A significant development in its ownership structure occurred in May 2024, when NTT DATA Japan acquired a fifty-eight point seven percent stake, with further plans for a tender offer to remaining shareholders. This strategic partnership is expected to bolster GHL's technological capabilities and regional expansion.
GHL's Lending Solutions for Malaysian Businesses
While GHL's primary focus remains its extensive payment solutions, the company strategically complements these with short-term SME loans. These financing options are specifically designed to provide working capital, offering businesses the necessary liquidity with flexible repayment structures. The intent is to support the growth and operational needs of its merchant base, leveraging their existing relationship and transaction data.
Understanding Loan Products, Rates, and Terms
For potential borrowers, it is critical to understand that detailed product specifications regarding GHL's SME loans, such as specific loan amounts, precise interest rates, applicable fees, and collateral requirements, are not publicly disclosed. This approach suggests that these offerings are often tailored to individual merchant profiles and their historical transaction data with GHL. Therefore, any business interested in GHL's financing options must engage in direct inquiry with GHL's sales team to obtain accurate and personalized information.
Based on the company's general policies, transparent fee disclosures are a cornerstone of its consumer protection framework, and late-payment fees are managed through strict standard operating procedures to mitigate credit risk. However, the specific figures pertaining to interest and other charges for their loan products remain private.
Navigating the Application Process and Digital Experience
GHL leverages its robust digital infrastructure to facilitate the loan application and management process, aligning with modern digital lending practices prevalent in Malaysia.
Application Requirements and Digital KYC
Businesses interested in GHL's SME loans can initiate their application through the GHL mobile application, available on both iOS and Android platforms, or via their web portal, eGHL. The application process incorporates digital Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, involving identity verification and integration with banking Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). GHL employs stringent anti-money laundering and anti-bribery policies to ensure compliance and ethical conduct. For underwriting and credit scoring, GHL utilizes a proprietary risk-scoring model. This model analyzes a merchant's transaction history and performance data, alongside expected credit-loss provisioning for SME loans, enabling a data-driven assessment of creditworthiness.
Once approved, loan disbursements are typically made via bank transfer or by crediting the merchant's EDC accounts. Collections are managed through integrated repayment portals, with strict SOPs for late-payment fees and chargeback controls to minimize default risks.
The GHL Pay Mobile Application
The GHL Pay mobile application is a central component of the company's digital strategy. It receives favorable ratings from users, holding a 4.2-star rating on the iOS App Store and a 4.0-star rating on Google Play as of 2025. The app offers a suite of features designed to enhance merchant operations:
- Payment Acceptance: Enables merchants to accept various digital payments.
- Transaction Reporting: Provides comprehensive reports on transaction activities.
- Fund Settlement: Facilitates the settlement of funds to merchant accounts.
- KYC Submission: Supports the digital submission of KYC documents.
Customer reviews frequently praise the reliability of GHL's terminals and the breadth of payment methods supported. While occasional feedback points to settlement delays and user interface glitches, GHL's service desk reportedly resolves ninety percent of issues within twenty-four hours, indicating a commitment to customer support.
Regulatory Compliance and Market Standing
Operating in a highly regulated financial sector, GHL Systems Berhad adheres to strict compliance and oversight standards.
Ensuring Trust: Licensing and Oversight
GHL is licensed as a merchant acquirer under the guidelines set by Bank Negara Malaysia, the nation's central bank. Furthermore, it holds PCI-DSS Level 1 certification, a globally recognized standard for data security in payment card transactions. The company is publicly listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, indicating a high level of transparency and corporate governance. As of fiscal year 2023, there have been no known regulatory penalties against GHL, and it conducts annual Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan testing to comply with Bank Negara Malaysia's Business Continuity Management guidelines. Consumer protection is upheld through transparent fee disclosures and robust internal policies against money laundering and bribery.
GHL's Position in the Malaysian Market
GHL operates within a competitive landscape in Malaysia, with key peers including iPay88, Touch ‘n Go, BigPay, and various local acquirers. However, GHL distinguishes itself through its extensive ASEAN footprint and its ability to provide end-to-end omnichannel solutions, catering to both in-store and online payment needs. The company's market share is substantial; it processed RM 28.9 billion in transaction value in 2023, marking a ten point one percent year-over-year increase. A significant eighty-two point three percent of its revenue is annuity-based, stemming from recurring TPA services, reflecting a stable business model. GHL's installed base grew by fourteen point five percent year-over-year, and its revenue compounded annual growth rate from 2019 to 2023 was approximately six percent.
Strategic partnerships further strengthen its market position. The recent tie-up with NTT DATA in May 2024 is a major highlight, alongside collaborations with CIMB, JCB, and Alipay+ for cross-border QR payments. GHL also plans to deepen its collaboration with telecommunication companies and banks to expand e-wallet acceptance across the region.
Practical Guidance for Potential Borrowers in Malaysia
For Malaysian businesses considering GHL Systems Berhad for their short-term working capital needs, several practical considerations are paramount:
- Direct Engagement is Key: Since specific loan terms, interest rates, and fees are not publicly available, potential borrowers must directly contact GHL's sales team. This direct conversation will provide personalized information relevant to their business profile.
- Thorough Understanding of Terms: Before committing to any loan, businesses should meticulously review all aspects of the offer. This includes the interest rate, any processing fees, late payment charges, repayment schedule, and any collateral requirements or personal guarantees.
- Compare with Alternatives: It is always prudent to compare GHL's loan offerings with other SME financing options available in the Malaysian market. This could include traditional bank loans, other digital lenders, or government-backed schemes designed for SMEs.
- Assess Repayment Capacity: Businesses should conduct a realistic assessment of their cash flow and ability to meet repayment obligations. GHL's proprietary risk scoring model will also evaluate this, but an internal assessment is crucial.
- Leverage Existing Relationship: If a business is already a GHL merchant, they might benefit from a streamlined application process and potentially more favorable terms due to GHL's access to their transaction history and performance data.
GHL Systems Berhad represents a significant player in Malaysia's digital payment ecosystem, offering convenience and efficiency to merchants. Its foray into SME lending provides a valuable financing channel for businesses, particularly those already integrated into its payment network. However, the lack of public detail on loan specifics necessitates proactive inquiry and diligent due diligence from any potential borrower to ensure the financing aligns with their business needs and financial health.
