CIMB wins Best Retail Bank and Best SME Bank in Malaysia at The Asian Banker Awards

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- CIMB Bank Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Bank”) has been recognised for its impact, innovation and contribution to the banking and finance industry through two awards from The Asian Banker’s Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards 2026.The awards lauded CIMB as Best Retail Bank in Malaysia and Best SME Bank in Malaysia. 

The Asian Banker attributed this recognition as the Best Retail Bank in Malaysia to CIMB’s strong demonstration of advancing the industry, including strengthening digital origination, fast decisioning and embedded finance partnerships. The Bank’s innovative expansion of customer acquisition beyond branches and high automation in areas such as lending approvals demonstrated this market leadership. These efforts of strengthening our customer experience whilst maintaining sound risk management led to strong financial performance for the consumer bank and country.  

Gurdip Singh Sidhu, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Berhad said, “We share this strong market recognition with our customers. Our efforts to advance customers and society is supported by the relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to a future-forward digital framework, scalable technology and a customer-first approach. These accolades underscore our market leadership and dedication to delivering excellence across the retail and SME banking sectors in a continuously evolving financial landscape.” 

Haniz Nazlan, Chief Executive Officer, Group Consumer Banking, CIMB added, “This recognition reflects the trust our customers place in us. We have been intentional in shaping a proposition-led approach that puts our customers at the centre of everything we do — from innovating new solutions, to creating seamless, omni-channel journeys and building a strong ecosystem of partners that extends the value we deliver. Alongside this, we continue to invest in next-generation technologies and AI to simplify processes and enhance how we serve. At the heart of it all is our commitment to delivering a better experience and making banking simpler, better and faster for our customers.” 

In naming CIMB as Best SME Bank in Malaysia, The Asian Banker pointed to CIMB’s leadership in serving SMEs through an integrated approach that combines digital innovation and comprehensive product offerings, driving strong growth to expand the bank’s market presence. It also acknowledged the impact of CIMB’s propositions through accessible and technology-enabled solutions. 

Lawrence Loh, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Group Commercial and Transaction Banking further elaborated, “Being named Best SME Bank in Malaysia affirms CIMB’s continued transformation in parallel with our SME customers, boosting their progress up the value chain through a wide menu of empowering solutions and industry knowledge to contribute to Malaysia’s regional growth story. The successful launch in 2025 of our OCTO BIZ solution with ASEAN connectivity widened our comprehensive SME toolkit including innovations such as SME Instant Apply, SME FlexiCash/-i with working capital adapted to daily cashflow, and instant AI intelligence for Business Contact Centre agents to better empower customers. Our flagship CIMB BizReady, GreenBizReady and Halal Biz Ready platforms jointly present a universal offering that helps businesses achieve their aspirations, while reflecting CIMB’s purpose of advancing customers and society.” 

About CIMB  

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM89.0 billion as at 31 December 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 552 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 December 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 91.45% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.83% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand. 

SOURCE: CIMB Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com

--BERNAMA