KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) has been upgraded to the highest possible MSCI ESG rating of AAA from AA.

The banking group also maintained a robust environmental score of 9.2 underscoring its disciplined management of environmental risks in credit underwriting, according to a statement on Thursday.

MSCI ESG Ratings evaluate how well companies manage the environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities specific to their industry that may affect financial performance.

In addition, CIMB was ranked No 1 globally among financial institutions in the 2025 Financial System Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), and secured the No 2 spot worldwide for Inclusive Finance, recognising its efforts to expand access to financial services and support a just transition.

CIMB Group CEO, Novan Amirudin, said the achievements highlight CIMB’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its core operations.

“Our recent achievements reflect our efforts in embedding sustainability more deeply into our core operations, ensuring our foundational frameworks become part of our daily decision-making. This approach is integral to our Forward30 strategy, where sustainability is not treated as a standalone agenda, but as a key driver of how we grow and deliver impact,” he said in a statement.

Novan added that while external recognition is encouraging, CIMB’s focus remains on execution and delivering real-economy impact across Asean. “What truly differentiates CIMB is our ability to translate ambition into execution by supporting our clients through the transition and delivering meaningful impact,” he also said.

The WBA benchmark assesses how 400 of the world’s most influential financial institutions are transforming the financial system for a more just and sustainable future. CIMB’s strong showing was supported by sector-specific environmental credit policies and transparent governance practices.

Looking ahead, CIMB is sharpening its efforts to mobilise RM300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030. This includes expanding sustainability advisory, carbon finance and nature finance offerings, with a strong emphasis on supporting SMEs through sector-specific workshops and sustainability-linked financing tied to measurable outcomes.

As of Sept 30, 2025, CIMB had a market capitalisation of RM79 billion and operates across Asean with 571 branches and over 33,000 employees.