Marlina’s Story

Marlina, is a 45-year-old vegetable farmer and branchless banking agent from Malino, South Sulawesi. She is a highly active figure in her village's women's groups, regularly hosting activities at her home. She has become a role model in her community, promoting mobile banking and assisting many villagers—mostly farmers—with loan applications.

“I am one of women here who went to school. When I join the recitation with them, they saw me using it (mobile banking) so they started using it too.” - Marlina

Marlina goes beyond merely helping new business owners apply for microloans. Before recommending loans, she first employs aspiring farmers on her own farm to assess their capability and ensure their repayment success once they receive funding. This approach has sparked economic growth in the village, as more people are now using bank loans to expand their agricultural businesses.

Although most locals have embraced mobile banking, many still rely on Marlina to help them navigate transactions through their phones, owing to her expertise with the app. However, Marlina cannot independently register for mobile banking or assist others with registration; she depends on her daughter for such tasks.