William Li told Reuters the proceeds from HSBC's financing will be used to settle some of Akulaku's debts.

Akulaku has a presence in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand, plus Indonesia, its major market for the company.

In 2022, Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Thailand's Siam Commercial Bank invested $200 million and $100 million, respectively, in Akulaku.

(Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Martin Petty)