Cloud-native core banking platform Vilja integrates WhatsApp capabilities to help banks expand access to digital financial services across Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Jakarta, Indonesia – 16th April, 2026 –Proximus Global, the leading international communications enabler, has partnered with Vilja, the cloud‑native core banking platform, to deliver embedded WhatsApp capabilities to emerging banks across Southeast Asia. The collaboration aims to help rural and cooperative banks expand access to digital financial services across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Messaging‑based banking offers a lower‑barrier entry point for digital services using platforms customers already rely on daily. It simplifies onboarding and communications for customers from lower‑income communities who may lack documentation, digital literacy, or access to smartphones capable of running complex apps.
These communities will now be able to perform everyday financial tasks directly through the WhatsApp messaging app. These include opening and viewing accounts, applying for credit cards and digital ID checks. By offering it as an embedded feature within Vilja’s platform, it will benefit tier‑2 and tier‑3 banks, where building and maintaining full mobile banking apps can be costly and complex.
Seckin Arikan, CEO, Proximus Global, said: “This partnership is a major step towards financial inclusion for underserved communities. By embedding Route Mobile engagement channels and Telesign’s protection capabilities into the banking core, we will help bank the unbanked. Meeting customers on platforms they already trust is a vital step in delivering accessible and secure financial services to all, regardless of economic status.”
The collaboration leverages the combined strengths of two of Proximus Global’s brands – Telesign and Route Mobile. Telesign specializes in digital identity and authentication infrastructure, while Route Mobile is a leader in omnichannel customer engagement.
By combining Vilja’s established footprint with Proximus Global’s international scale, the partnership makes it easier than ever for banks seeking to modernize their core infrastructure through native, conversational banking solutions.
Fredrik Ulvenholm, CEO at Vilja added: “Having seen the challenges smaller banks faced in the region, we recognized the need to add communications into the heart of our experience. By using familiar channels like WhatsApp, which customers trust and engage with naturally, emerging providers in Southeast Asia will now be able to compete with tier-1 banks.”
This partnership demonstrates Proximus Global and Vilja’s shared vision for a more inclusive financial ecosystem, with innovation and embedded communications at the heart of the mission, rather than revenue.
The strategic partnership was announced at the BFSI Innovation and Technology Summit in Indonesia.
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About Proximus Global
Proximus Global, combining the strengths of Telesign, BICS, and Route Mobile, is transforming the future of communications and digital identity. Together, our solutions fuel innovation across the world’s largest companies and emerging brands. Our unrivaled global reach empowers businesses to create engaging experiences with built-in fraud protection across the entire customer lifecycle. Our comprehensive suite of solutions – from our super network for voice, messaging, and data, to 5G and IoT; and from verification and intelligence to CPaaS for personalized omnichannel engagement – enables businesses and communities to thrive. Reaching over 5 billion subscribers, securing more than 180 billion transactions annually, and connecting 1,000+ destinations, we honor our commitment to connect, protect and engage everyone, everywhere.
For more information visit https://www.proximusglobal.com/
About Vilja
Vilja is a leading cloud-native core banking platform vendor, empowering banks and financial institutions to build exceptional digital banking solutions. The packaged business capabilities have a composable design, allowing you to select specific modules tailored to your needs or an end-to-end solution in one unified platform. The platform is highly automated and configurable to enable quick time to market and improved efficiency. Our ASEAN headquarter and development center are located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
For more information, visit https://www.viljasolutions.com
Press Contact:
Name: Anita Goga
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)7709 251 384
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