Clicx Bank is preparing to launch services next month after receiving approval to operate as a virtual bank in Thailand.
The Bank of Thailand granted the licence on 14 May, Bangkok Post reported, making Clicx the first approved virtual bank applicant in the country to secure an operating licence.
The digital bank is backed by Krungthai Bank, Advanced Info Service and PTT Oil and Retail Business.
Krungthai Bank disclosed that Clicx had been notified of the finance minister’s approval for its commercial banking licence. The approval also covers regulated payment services.
Clicx plans to provide savings, money management and credit services through a fully digital model.
The bank is aimed at underserved customers with irregular income or limited financial records, including gig workers, small merchants, new workers and other users outside the reach of traditional banking.
It plans to use AI and non-traditional data to better assess customer profiles, including information linked to everyday behaviour and service usage.
Clicx’s lending products will take into account customers’ repayment ability.
Thailand approved three virtual bank applicants in June 2025: ACM Holding, the Krungthai-AIS-OR consortium and the SCB X consortium with WeBank Technology Services and KakaoBank.
The Bank of Thailand requires the groups to establish public limited companies, meet the finance minister’s conditions and pass its readiness assessment before starting operations.
The original timeline required the virtual banks to begin operations within one year of the 19 June 2025 approval, but the regulator has since allowed more time.
Bank of Thailand Governor Vitai Ratanakorn expects at least two virtual banks to begin operations by the end of 2026.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by wahyu_t via Magnific
