Mashreq and Cashew Expand Embedded Lending Amid UAE Fintech Surge

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 29-04-2026

4 min

Mashreq and Cashew deepen ties, targeting embedded lending across UAE digital platforms.

Customers can access up to AED 150,000 with near-instant approvals.

The model moves beyond BNPL into cars, healthcare and education expenses.

Mashreq brings “regulated banking muscle”; Cashew adds scalable fintech infrastructure.

The partnership signals a more mature, integrated UAE bank–fintech ecosystem.

Mashreq and Cashew are doubling down on their partnership, this time with a sharper focus on embedded lending in the UAE. The two companies are working on a deeper, platform-level collaboration designed to blend Mashreq’s regulated banking muscle with Cashew’s fintech infrastructure, and in doing so, make larger-ticket financing far less of a faff for consumers and merchants alike.

At the heart of the move is a new embedded lending framework. In simple terms, it means customers can access financing directly at the point of purchase, without the traditional scramble of paperwork or long waits. The offer allows funding of up to AED 150,000, with repayment periods stretching to 48 months. Approvals are described as near-instant, and merchants receive funds directly, cutting down on friction. For anyone who has tried to secure a personal loan for a big expense in the past, that’s definately a shift in experience.

Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) has already carved out a strong place in the region’s fintech landscape. From fashion to electronics, it’s become part of everyday checkout journeys. But what Mashreq and Cashew are pushing towards is something bigger, literally. This collaboration extends the model into higher-value and essential spending categories such as automotive services, home improvements, healthcare, education, and lifestyle needs. It’s not just about splitting the cost of trainers anymore; it’s about financing a car repair or a medical bill without upfront strain.

Fernando Morillo, Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq, said the future of finance will hinge on how smoothly financial services blend into daily digital experiences. He noted that the collaboration reflects Mashreq’s commitment to embedded lending models anchored in solid banking foundations while still agile enough to operate within third-party platforms. In his view, the bank is positioning itself as a regulated lender capable of supporting higher-value consumer finance directly within digital ecosystems.

From Cashew’s side, Founder and CEO Ammar Afif highlighted the role of institutional backing in scaling responsibly. He pointed out that with Mashreq’s support, the platform can strengthen risk governance and access scalable funding. Afif also referenced the model’s traction in the US and Europe, suggesting there is precedent for large-ticket pay-later solutions working well beyond small retail transactions. In markets like the UAE, where financial innovation moves at full tilt, he sees this as a natural next step.

I’ve noticed, speaking with founders across MENA over the years, that access to credit is often where great ambitions hit a wall. On the flip side, consumers are also wary of traditional debt products, paperwork-heavy, slow, and sometimes unclear. Embedded finance, when done responsibly, feels like a middle ground. And believe it or not, many startups I meet are chuffed to bits when banks are willing to co-build rather than just regulate from a distance.

That said, large-ticket BNPL does raise important questions around affordability and consumer protection. Here, Mashreq’s regulated status and risk governance framework could prove crucial. It’s one thing to offer slick checkout finance; it’s another to ensure it’s sustainable in the long run. I reckon this is where serious bank–fintech collaborations will either sink or swim.

This latest step marks what many see as a more mature phase in UAE bank–fintech relationships. Instead of loose partnerships, we’re seeing deeper integrations, where banking infrastructure sits seamlessly behind digital platforms. For the UAE’s evolving digital financial ecosystem, that feels spot on.

For founders and operators across the region, especially those building in commerce or services, the message is clear: embedded finance is no longer just a buzzword. It’s becoming part of the plumbing. And if it opens doors to smoother, more responsible credit access across essential sectors, well… that’s something the regional startup scene can quietly welcome.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!