KUALA LUMPUR (April 15): Bank Rakyat has appointed Ahmad Shahril Mohd Shariff as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective April 9.

Ahmad Shahril has been serving as the acting CEO of the bank since Nov 9, 2024, following the resignation of Datuk Mohammad Hanis Osman, who held the top job for nearly three years from July 2022.

Before assuming the role of acting CEO, Ahmad Shahril was deputy CEO for business and operations for the bank, which is a development bank under the Ministry of  Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.

Ahmad Shahril brings with him over 26 years of experience in the banking and financial industry, including positions at Bank Negara Malaysia and other domestic financial institutions. He is also a certified member of the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance.

“With his extensive experience in the banking and financial sector, Ahmad Shahril is well-positioned to lead and carry out his entrusted responsibilities effectively, particularly in enhancing the wellbeing of members and stakeholders, strengthening the entrepreneurial and cooperative ecosystem, and supporting financial inclusivity initiatives in line with the Malaysia Madani aspiration,” said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick in a statement.

Meanwhile, Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak said under Ahmad Shahril's leadership, the bank "will continue to uphold its mandate of driving national economic growth and the socioeconomic development of the community" as a progressive and competitive Development Financial Institution. 

"This will be anchored in Islamic values and sustainability, through the Bank Rakyat 2025 five-year strategic plan (BR25), ultimately shaping the ‘Bank Rakyat of Tomorrow’,” Mohd Irwan added.