Khairussaleh Ramli, president and group CEO of Maybank, received the Best Bank CEO in Malaysia award by TAB Global for his bold and disciplined leadership in transforming Maybank into a digitally advanced, customer-focused and sustainability-led organisation. Through strategic clarity and consistent execution, he has repositioned the bank as a regional leader, delivering measurable outcomes across performance, innovation, customer trust and institutional resilience. Driving digital transformation and innovation Khairussaleh has led the execution of the M25+ strategy with precision, aligning the organisation around customer-centricity, digital modernisation and long-term sustainability. This approach drove Maybank to a net profit of more than MYR 10 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2024, reflecting disciplined management and the agility to respond to evolving market needs. He spearheaded the modernisation of Maybank’s platforms and embedded agile delivery across functions, enabling faster product launches and enhanced service delivery. Active digital users surpassed 10 million in 2024, with digital channels becoming the primary gateway for customer engagement. These advancements have strengthened personalisation, enhanced convenience and reinforced Maybank’s competitive position in the region. Embedding sustainability and inclusion into growth Khairussaleh has made sustainability a driver of innovation and institutional relevance, mobilising MYR 115 billion ($24.2 billion) in sustainable finance by the end of 2024, exceeding the bank’s target ahead of schedule. Maybank has also expanded initiatives in financial literacy, education and community empowerment, reaching hundreds of thousands of people across its markets. As chairman of the Association of Banks in Malaysia, he led a coordinated nationwide campaign against fraud, achieving a 40% reduction in reported scam cases in 2024 and strengthening sector-wide digital defences at a time of heightened risk. Investing in a future-ready workforce Recognising talent as central to transformation, Khairussaleh has prioritised building a workforce equipped for the future of banking. More than 18,000 employees have completed structured training in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and data, supported by a bank-wide AI literacy initiative. These programmes have enhanced internal mobility, fostered a culture of continuous learning and positioned Maybank to sustain momentum in a rapidly evolving financial ecosystem. Reflecting on the award, Khairussaleh said, “This award goes to Maybank. I would not have been able to win it without the platform and the support of the 44,000 Maybankers. We still have a lot of work ahead, and I look forward to seeing a successful three years ahead as we move towards M30 together.” A career defined by transformation Khairussaleh returned to Maybank in May 2022, having previously served as its group chief financial officer and as CEO of its Indonesian operations. He brings more than three decades of experience across banking, strategy and operations, including seven years as group managing director of another major financial institution, chief financial officer of Bursa Malaysia Berhad and senior roles at a telecommunications provider and a domestic bank. He is an alumnus of Washington University in St. Louis and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme. This breadth of experience has equipped him to deliver the disciplined, innovation-led growth underpinning Maybank’s transformation.
