CIMB was recognised for its leadership in digital banking, green finance and SME support, receiving awards for Best Retail Bank in Malaysia, Best Green Finance Initiative for GreenBizReady programme and Best Digital SME Financing for CIMB OctoBiz. Hong Leong Bank was awarded Best SME Bank in Malaysia and Best Branch Banking Initiative in Asia Pacific for its customer-first digital solutions and innovative branch transformation strategy. Alliance Bank received awards for Best Sustainable Banking Initiative and Best Mobile Banking Technology Initiative in recognition of its eco-friendly and secure digital payment solutions. Kuala Lumpur, 25 September – CIMB, Hong Leong Bank and Alliance Bank were recognised as the best banks in retail banking, SME support, digital innovation and green finance at The Asian Banker Malaysia Awards 2025 held at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. CIMB was named Best Retail Bank in Malaysia for its exceptional performance in 2024. The bank balanced profitability with digital transformation, driving strong retail revenue growth while maintaining one of the most efficient cost-to-income ratios in the market. With nearly half of its sales made through digital channels, CIMB’s leadership in digital engagement set it apart from its domestic peers. The introduction of products such as the Travel Mastercard and EziTunai strengthened its retail offering. Further investment in customer relationship management, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud migration helped improve personalisation, fraud prevention and customer trust. This combination of financial discipline and technological innovation reinforced CIMB’s position as the leader in Malaysia’s retail banking sector. CIMB was also awarded Best Green Finance Initiative for its GreenBizReady programme launched in 2024. GreenBizReady was designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) transitioning to more sustainable operations. Through tailored financing options and environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessment tools, the programme enabled participating SMEs to reduce over 300,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and save MYR110 million ($26 million) through energy-efficient projects. CIMB also channeled a significant portion of the central bank’s High Tech & Green Fund and directed 30% of its lending to green technologies, driving positive environmental impact and enabling sustainable growth. CIMB further demonstrated its commitment to innovation with the Best Digital SME Financing award for CIMB OctoBiz. The fully digital platform streamlined the financing process for SMEs by enabling instant applications, document submission and real-time tracking. Its impact was evident with a 191% increase in product approvals and a 288% rise in submissions. More than 86,000 SMEs were onboarded, with 72% migrating to the platform, revolutionising access to financing for SMEs in Malaysia. Hong Leong Bank was named Best SME Bank in Malaysia for its customer-centric, digital-first approach to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. The bank has strengthened its SME offerings with innovations such as eKYC integration and improved foreign currency accounts. Its branch transformation initiative has further broadened its reach, delivering tailored solutions to communities while promoting digital services. The bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework also empowers SMEs to adopt responsible practices that contribute positively to their community and the environment. Hong Leong Bank was also recognised with Best Branch Banking Initiative in Asia Pacific for its strategic branch transformation. Branches were segmented to meet the specific needs of local demographics, providing enhanced services through flagship, standard and community formats. By integrating digital technology with physical spaces, the bank optimised resources, improved efficiency and deepened customer engagement through bespoke financial advisory services. Alliance Bank was awarded Best Sustainable Banking Initiative or Product in Malaysia for its Virtual Credit Card (VCC) with Dynamic Card Number. The product allows customers to create single use or subscription-based dynamic numbers, set spending limits and immediately freeze or delete compromised details. The initiative also eliminates the need for plastic cards and paper forms, promoting eco-friendly, secure contactless payments. With over 83,000 VCCs issued, the bank has reduced fraud incidents to zero while cutting acquisition costs by 83%. This reflects Alliance Bank’s commitment to both sustainability and security in digital banking. Alliance Bank also received the award for Best Mobile Banking Technology Initiative in Malaysia for its platform that gives customers full control over digital payments. Features include one-time and subscription-based dynamic card numbers, tools to manage spending limits and options to freeze or delete compromised details. With an 80% activation rate since launch, the initiative has redefined mobile banking by combining convenience, security and sustainability. The Malaysia Awards is one of the most established benchmarking programmes in retail, transaction finance, risk management and financial technology, recognising exceptional innovation, leadership, management and performance. The Asian Banker Malaysia Awards 2025 Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards Best Retail Bank in Malaysia- CIMB Best SME Bank in Malaysia - Hong Leong Bank Best Branch Banking Initiative in Asia Pacific - Hong Leong Bank Retail Product Awards Best Digital SME Financing in Malaysia - CIMB 'OctoBiz' Best Green Finance Initiative in Malaysia - CIMB 'GreenBizReady' Best Sustainable Banking Initiative in Malaysia - Alliance Bank Financial Technology Innovation Awards Best Mobile Banking Technology Initiative in Malaysia - Alliance Bank For more information about the Malaysia Awards Programme, please visit. For media enquiries, please contact: Genivi Factao Editor TAB Global Email: gfactao@tab.global
