Maybank, in collaboration with the YCAB Foundation, launched the Maybank HERPower Program to enhance financial literacy and strengthen ultra-micro and MSME businesses, with a particular focus on empowering women in Indonesia. The program was implemented from February to June 2025 through a series of five online webinars. Each session centered on financial literacy and business capacity building for ultra-micro and MSME entrepreneurs, focusing on practical topics and trending issues relevant to the small business landscape.
During the opening of the webinar, Maria Trifanny Fransiska – Head of Sustainability Maybank Indonesia, expressed her appreciation and delight in meeting the women entrepreneurs of ultra-micro and MSMEs who are participating in the program. “This program is focused on carrying out social initiatives that empower women in Indonesia. We are learning about financial literacy and smart strategies to build a strong business foundation,” said Maria Trifanny Fransisca.
Maria also added that the Maybank HERPower Program is expected to broaden participants’ knowledge and be beneficial for the future of these women entrepreneurs.
“Thank you to the YCAB Foundation team for facilitating this event. I hope all of us can gain valuable insights and benefit from this program as entrepreneurs. Enjoy the series of activities ahead,” she added.
Through a structured learning journey, the program featured five webinars with specific and relevant topics for women-led MSMEs, reaching a total of 1,087 beneficiaries. Each session was designed to deliver practical skills that could be applied immediately in their businesses.
The sessions began with the fundamentals of financial management, such as budgeting, saving, separating personal and business finances, and understanding basic bookkeeping. The series then continued by strengthening participants’ understanding of business development and introducing them to the potential of accessing global markets. As the program progressed, participants were equipped with knowledge and strategies in digital marketing, starting from understanding consumer behavior online, to setting marketing goals, choosing the right platforms, creating engaging content, and ultimately, building a strong business identity on social media.
Each session was designed to provide hands-on knowledge that participants could directly apply to their daily business operations.
In addition to the core training modules, the HERPower Program featured dedicated sessions delivered by the Women Council of Maybank Indonesia, aimed at inspiring participants as both businesswomen and mothers. These sessions were integrated into Webinars 2, 3, and 5, featuring impactful topics such as:
● “A Mother’s Role as the Family’s Financial Minister” by Ratna Dyah (Webinar 2)
● “Smart Ways to Manage Your Business Income” by Pratiwi Dyah Adawiya (Webinar 3)
● “Maximizing the Use of Smartphones for Mothers” by Ratna Dyah (Webinar 5).
These inspirational sessions added a layer of personal empowerment to the program, emphasizing the multidimensional role of women in managing both households and businesses. This blend of personal and professional growth made the program especially impactful.
The impact of the program extended beyond knowledge—it translated into real business results for many participants.
Several women entrepreneurs reported an increase in revenue after applying the lessons learned from the webinars, including:
● Mira Tanzila, a traditional snack seller, reported a 20% increase in income.
● Diah, a home-based tailor, also experienced a 20% growth.
● Lely, who sells clothing and takes custom cake orders, saw a 10% increase.
● Erna, who sells clothing on credit, reported a 2% rise in revenue.
Nashriyah, 31, who runs a small groceries and beverage stall, shared how the program has helped her take control of her business finances, “Before joining the program, all the money was mixed up and I couldn’t track my profit. After the training, I started recording everything. Now I know how much I earn and can save some of it.”
Fitri Winarsih, a MSME entrepreneur from Semarang who sells Onde-onde Ketawa, shared that the program greatly expanded her knowledge, from identifying target markets to practical product marketing strategies, “I feel very satisfied and have gained detailed insights, from how to find the right target market, to understanding who the product is for and which segment it belongs to. This helps us identify our market more specifically.”
These stories demonstrate how practical, focused training, when aligned with the real needs of MSMEs, can deliver measurable improvements in business outcomes.
Although the training was delivered online, several participants gathered in local groups to join the webinar together from one location. The documentation includes photos of participants watching the Zoom session together in person, demonstrating their enthusiasm and sense of community despite the virtual setup.
Through the Maybank HERPower Program, Maybank and YCAB Foundation have demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering women by enhancing business capacity and financial literacy.