CIMB
A Malaysian universal banking group focused on consumer, commercial, investment, Islamic and corporate banking across ASEAN.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
CIMB is the consumer-facing and institutional banking brand of CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, a Malaysian financial-services group headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. The group is built from the combination and consolidation of several Malaysian banking and investment institutions, with roots extending to Bian Chiang Bank, founded in Kuching in 1924. Its modern identity emerged through the integration of Commerce International Merchant Bankers, Bumiputra-Commerce Bank, Southern Bank and related businesses during the 2000s. CIMB operates as a universal bank rather than as a narrowly specialized lender. Its activities include consumer banking, commercial and small-to-medium-enterprise banking, corporate banking, investment banking, treasury and markets, securities, asset management, private banking, wealth management and Islamic finance. CIMB Islamic operates alongside the conventional businesses under a dual-banking model and provides Shariah-compliant products across retail, corporate, investment and asset-management activities. The group’s principal geographic focus is ASEAN, especially Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Its regional network also includes Cambodia and the Philippines, while investment-banking, securities and representative operations extend to selected financial centres and markets outside Southeast Asia. Major operating entities and brands include CIMB Bank, CIMB Investment Bank, CIMB Islamic, CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, CIMB Thai and CIMB Securities International. The group has also used strategic partnerships and joint ventures to broaden its capabilities in asset management, insurance, securities and regional investment banking. Consumer offerings include deposits, payments, mortgages, personal financing, cards, wealth products and digital banking. Business and institutional services cover working capital, transaction banking, trade finance, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, corporate advisory, foreign exchange, fixed income, equities, derivatives and investment management. CIMB Clicks was developed as a digital banking channel, while CIMB’s Philippine digital bank business launched through the OCTO mobile platform. A significant turning point came in 2005–2006, when the group pursued the creation of a universal bank by combining commercial and investment-banking franchises. CIMB Group was formally launched in September 2006. Subsequent expansion included entry into Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia, the merger of Bank Niaga and Bank Lippo in Indonesia, and the acquisition of Royal Bank of Scotland’s Asian investment-banking operations in 2012. These steps reinforced CIMB’s positioning as an indigenous ASEAN investment bank with broad regional distribution. CIMB Group Holdings Berhad is listed on Bursa Malaysia under the ticker CIMB. The brand’s competitive proposition is its combination of Malaysian banking heritage, ASEAN scale, institutional-market expertise and parallel conventional and Islamic financial services. Its public profile also includes community and sustainability activities conducted through CIMB Foundation and other group initiatives. Exact current branch, employee and financial figures are time-sensitive and are therefore not stated here without a dated corporate source.
History
CIMB’s historical foundations lie in a number of Malaysian financial institutions. Bian Chiang Bank was established in Kuching in 1924 to finance businesses and issue bills of exchange. After its acquisition by the Fleet group in 1979, it was renamed Bank of Commerce Berhad. Ban Hin Lee Bank originated in Penang in 1935 and initially served local traders before expanding into property and housing finance. Southern Banking began in 1965 and later developed capabilities in wealth management, cards and SME lending. Other important predecessors included Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Berhad, incorporated in 1965 to increase Bumiputera participation in the economy, and United Asian Bank, created in Kuala Lumpur in 1972 from Malaysian operations of several Indian-owned banks. Pertanian Baring Sanwa Multinational was incorporated in 1974 by Malaysian, British and Japanese financial interests. When Bank of Commerce replaced Bank Pertanian as its controlling shareholder, the institution was renamed Commerce International Merchant Bankers, or CIMB, in 1986. Corporate finance was its initial specialty, with stockbroking added later. Bank of Commerce acquired United Asian Bank in 1991, substantially increasing its branch network. Its listed holding company became Commerce-Asset Holdings Berhad. In 1999, Bank Bumiputra merged with Commerce-Asset Holdings to form Bumiputra-Commerce Bank. Southern Bank acquired Ban Hin Lee Bank and two finance companies in 2000 during Malaysia’s banking-consolidation programme. CIMB was listed on Malaysia’s main market in 2003, the same year CIMB Islamic was introduced. The group expanded into asset management through the acquisition of stakes in Commerce Trust and Commerce Asset Fund Managers, subsequently forming CIMB-Principal with Principal Financial Group. In 2005 it acquired Singaporean broker G.K. Goh, creating CIMB-GK and extending the investment-banking franchise beyond Malaysia. A decisive restructuring followed in 2005 and 2006. Commerce-Asset Holdings pursued the creation of a universal bank by combining its commercial and investment-banking businesses. The holding company was renamed Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings, and the reorganization was completed in January 2006. CIMB Group was formally launched on 7 September 2006, presenting a full-service model serving individuals, SMEs, corporates and institutional investors. The group then expanded across ASEAN. It established securities operations in Thailand and the United States in 2007, launched CIMB Foundation as a not-for-profit vehicle, and agreed in 2008 to take a minority stake in Bank of Yingkou in China. In Indonesia, the merger of Bank Niaga and Bank Lippo created the enlarged CIMB Niaga platform. The group also entered an agreement to acquire a stake in Bank Thai, later branded CIMB Thai. CIMB Islamic Asset Management was developed with Principal Financial Group during this period. CIMB Bank and CIMB Islamic moved into Menara Bumiputra-Commerce in Kuala Lumpur in 2009. CIMB Thai adopted its new public brand that year, and CIMB Bank Singapore began retail operations. In 2010, CIMB Bank Plc opened in Cambodia. The 2012 acquisition of Royal Bank of Scotland’s Asian investment-banking operations, including Australia, further increased CIMB’s wholesale-banking reach. Later digital expansion included CIMB Bank Philippines, launched in 2019 through the OCTO mobile platform. Today, CIMB remains an ASEAN-centered universal banking group. Its operating model combines consumer and commercial banking with investment banking, corporate banking, treasury and markets, strategic investments, securities, asset management and Islamic finance. The group also maintains links with partners in asset management, insurance and financial markets. Its brand architecture distinguishes the group, consumer-bank, investment-bank, Islamic, Indonesian and Thai franchises while retaining CIMB as the common identity.
- 2019
Digital bank launches in the Philippines
[1]CIMB Bank Philippines begins operations through the OCTO mobile platform.
- 2012
RBS Asian investment-banking acquisition
[1]CIMB acquires RBS’s Asian investment-banking business, including its Australian franchise.
- 2010
CIMB enters Cambodia
[1]CIMB Bank Plc opens its first Cambodian branch in Phnom Penh.
- 2008
CIMB Niaga is created
[1]Bank Niaga and Bank Lippo merge in Indonesia, creating CIMB’s principal Indonesian banking platform.
- 2006
CIMB Group is formally launched
[1]The restructured group begins operating as a universal bank in September.
- 2003
CIMB is listed and CIMB Islamic is launched
[1]CIMB joins the main board of Malaysia’s stock exchange and introduces its Islamic-banking franchise.
- 1999
Bumiputra-Commerce Bank is formed
[1]Bank Bumiputra merges with Commerce-Asset Holdings to create Bumiputra-Commerce Bank.
- 1986
PBS becomes CIMB
[1]Pertanian Baring Sanwa Multinational is renamed Commerce International Merchant Bankers after a change in control.
- 1924
Bian Chiang Bank is established
[1]Bian Chiang Bank is founded in Kuching, providing an early institutional predecessor to CIMB.
Products and positioning
A leading ASEAN-focused universal bank combining consumer distribution, wholesale banking, investment banking and Islamic finance.
Consumer and corporate banking
CIMB Bank
CIMB Bank provides retail and business banking across key ASEAN markets. Its offerings include deposits, payments, mortgages, personal financing, cards, SME services, transaction banking and corporate lending. The franchise uses branches, ATMs, relationship teams and digital channels to serve individuals, entrepreneurs and companies.
Investment banking
CIMB Investment Bank
The investment-banking arm serves companies, governments, financial institutions and institutional investors through corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, project advisory, equity and debt capital markets, research, securities, broking and related market services. Its regional footprint supports CIMB’s positioning as an ASEAN investment bank.
Islamic banking · 2003
CIMB Islamic
CIMB Islamic offers Shariah-compliant solutions across consumer banking, corporate and investment banking, asset management, private banking and wealth management. It operates in parallel with the conventional franchises and relies on Shariah governance to structure products and transactions in accordance with Islamic-finance principles.
Indonesian banking · 2008
CIMB Niaga
CIMB Niaga is CIMB’s Indonesian consumer and corporate banking platform. It was created through the combination of Bank Niaga and Bank Lippo and serves retail customers, businesses and institutional clients through lending, deposits, payments, cards, mortgages and other financial services.
Digital banking
CIMB Clicks
CIMB Clicks is a digital banking channel associated with CIMB’s consumer franchise. It enables customers to conduct common banking and payment activities remotely, complementing branches and other mobile services.
Digital banking · 2019
OCTO
OCTO is the mobile platform used by CIMB Bank Philippines for digital account opening, account management and transactions. Its launch supported CIMB’s expansion into app-led retail banking in the Philippine market.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007CIMB Foundation launch
Malaysia · ASEAN
CIMB established CIMB Foundation as a not-for-profit organization for the group’s community and corporate-social-responsibility activities.
Outcome. Created a dedicated vehicle for community initiatives.
Brand decisions
2019
Launch of Philippine digital bankingProduct launchBackground
CIMB pursued app-based distribution in a market with growing demand for branch-light financial services.
Action taken
CIMB Bank Philippines launched digital banking services through the OCTO mobile platform.
Aftermath
The launch extended CIMB’s consumer banking model into digital-first Philippine operations.
2012
Acquisition of RBS Asian investment-banking operationsM&ABackground
CIMB aimed to strengthen its investment-banking reach across Asia-Pacific.
Action taken
CIMB agreed to purchase Royal Bank of Scotland’s Asian investment-banking business, including the Australian franchise.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded CIMB’s regional wholesale-banking and advisory platform.
2008
Combination of Bank Niaga and Bank LippoM&ABackground
CIMB sought to consolidate its Indonesian banking presence and increase regional scale.
Action taken
The group undertook the merger of PT Bank Niaga and PT Bank Lippo.
Aftermath
The combined institution became CIMB Niaga, CIMB’s principal Indonesian banking subsidiary.
2005
Decision to build a universal bankStrategyBackground
The group sought to combine commercial banking and investment banking into a broader financial-services platform.
Action taken
Commerce-Asset Holdings announced and implemented a restructuring that led to the creation of the modern CIMB Group.
Aftermath
The reorganization was completed in January 2006 and the CIMB Group brand was launched later that year.
Recent events
CIMB receives 17 treasury-solution awards[3]
Reported:
CIMB Group was recognized in two award programs for its treasury offerings, receiving two Asia Risk Awards and recognition in 15 categories at The Asset Triple A Private Capital Awards for Investment Solutions.
- Unconfirmed
CIMB launches GreenBizReady for SMEs[4]
CIMB Bank and CIMB Islamic Bank launched GreenBizReady, a sustainability solution for local SMEs. It includes financial solutions and incentives, access to service providers, training, certification, advisory services and business matching, with an allocation of RM250 million.
- Unconfirmed
CIMB introduces CIMB CNY Go Digital for SMEs[5]
Reported:
CIMB and CIMB Bank Berhad and CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad introduced CIMB CNY Go Digital for SMEs, a campaign offering digital commerce and HR solutions, discounts, and webinars. The campaign was reported to run from January 15 to March 15, 2021.
- Unconfirmed
CIMB teams up with Shopmatic[5]
Reported:
CIMB teamed up with Shopmatic to help SMEs increase online sales through a B2C platform designed to serve a wider audience.
- Unconfirmed
CIMB announces senior leadership appointments[6]
CIMB Group said its senior leadership team would change. It announced that Omar Siddiq would become Group CEO of wholesale banking from October 1 and deputy CEO of CIMB Bank, assisting CEO Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad.
Sources6 sources
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