CIMB

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.

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.

1. 2019Digital bank launches in the Philippines

   CIMB Bank Philippines begins operations through the OCTO mobile platform.

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2. 2012RBS Asian investment-banking acquisition

   CIMB acquires RBS’s Asian investment-banking business, including its Australian franchise.

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3. 2010CIMB enters Cambodia

   CIMB Bank Plc opens its first Cambodian branch in Phnom Penh.

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4. 2008CIMB Niaga is created

   Bank Niaga and Bank Lippo merge in Indonesia, creating CIMB’s principal Indonesian banking platform.

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5. 2006CIMB Group is formally launched

   The restructured group begins operating as a universal bank in September.

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6. 2003CIMB is listed and CIMB Islamic is launched

   CIMB joins the main board of Malaysia’s stock exchange and introduces its Islamic-banking franchise.

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7. 1999Bumiputra-Commerce Bank is formed

   Bank Bumiputra merges with Commerce-Asset Holdings to create Bumiputra-Commerce Bank.

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8. 1986PBS becomes CIMB

   Pertanian Baring Sanwa Multinational is renamed Commerce International Merchant Bankers after a change in control.

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9. 1924Bian Chiang Bank is established

   Bian Chiang Bank is founded in Kuching, providing an early institutional predecessor to CIMB.

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A leading ASEAN-focused universal bank combining consumer distribution, wholesale banking, investment banking and Islamic finance.

• CIMB BankConsumer and corporate banking

  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.

• CIMB Investment BankInvestment banking

  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.

• CIMB IslamicIslamic banking2003

  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.

• CIMB NiagaIndonesian banking2008

  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.

• CIMB ClicksDigital banking

  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.

• OCTODigital banking2019

  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.

• 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.

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• 2019Launch of Philippine digital bankingProduct launch

  CIMB pursued app-based distribution in a market with growing demand for branch-light financial services.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2012Acquisition of RBS Asian investment-banking operationsM&A

  CIMB aimed to strengthen its investment-banking reach across Asia-Pacific.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2008Combination of Bank Niaga and Bank LippoM&A

  CIMB sought to consolidate its Indonesian banking presence and increase regional scale.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2005Decision to build a universal bankStrategy

  The group sought to combine commercial banking and investment banking into a broader financial-services platform.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2019CIMB Bank Philippines launches digital banking operations

  CIMB’s Philippine digital bank business began operating through the OCTO mobile application, allowing customers to open accounts and manage transactions digitally.

  Product launch
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• 2012CIMB acquires Royal Bank of Scotland’s Asian investment-banking operations

  CIMB agreed to acquire RBS’s Asian investment-banking business, including its Australian franchise, strengthening the group’s regional wholesale-banking platform.

  M&A
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• 2010CIMB opens its first Cambodian branch

  CIMB Bank Plc opened its first branch and headquarters in Phnom Penh, establishing a wholly owned Cambodian banking subsidiary.

  Product launch
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• 2009CIMB launches retail banking in Singapore

  CIMB Bank Singapore began retail-banking operations, extending the group’s consumer presence in a core ASEAN market.

  Product launch
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• 2008CIMB combines Bank Niaga and Bank Lippo in Indonesia

  CIMB advanced its Indonesian platform through the merger of PT Bank Niaga and PT Bank Lippo, creating the institution that became CIMB Niaga.

  M&A
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• 2007CIMB expands into Thailand and the United States

  The group established securities operations in Thailand and the United States as part of its international investment-banking expansion.

  Other
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• 2006CIMB Group launches as a universal banking group

  Following the restructuring of Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings and the integration of commercial and investment-banking operations, CIMB Group was publicly launched in September 2006.

  Other
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1. CIMB
2. CIMB Group official website