KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): RHB Bank Bhd (KL:RHBBANK) has announced the launch of a combined RM5 billion in commercial paper and sukuk murabahah programmes to raise funds in both ringgit and foreign currencies.

In a filing with the stock exchange, the bank said it lodged the programmes with the Securities Commission Malaysia on Oct 1 under the Lodge and Launch Framework.

The commercial paper (CP) programme will allow RHB to issue short-term debt for general banking needs, working capital or refinancing. The sukuk murabahah programme, which is shariah-compliant, will support Islamic financing, investments in Islamic money markets and refinancing of Islamic borrowings.

Both programmes allow the issuance of sustainability-linked papers — known as sustainability CP and sustainability sukuk murabahah — aligned with international green, social and sustainability bond standards, including Asean and ICMA guidelines.

RHB Investment Bank has been appointed as principal adviser, lead arranger and lead manager for the programmes.

The combined limit for both programmes is up to RM5 billion or its equivalent in other currencies.

RHB’s share price closed 0.91% higher at RM6.66 on Wednesday, valuing the country’s fourth largest bank by asset size at RM29.05 billion.