KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK) has launched a RM1 billion targeted financing initiative to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) facing rising costs and tighter cash flows amid a challenging operating environment.
Under the SME Perkasa programme, eligible businesses can access financing of up to RM1 million, along with a six-month deferment on principal repayments, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday.
Disbursements are possible within 48 hours upon completion of documentation, supported by a fast-track credit assessment process that leverages customers’ existing transaction and banking data. This enables quicker access to funds while maintaining credit discipline.
The initiative is available to the bank's existing SME customers across 10 priority sectors, including logistics, wholesale distribution, construction, food supply chains, fabricated metals and industrial goods, petrol station dealers, agriculture, furniture, machinery importers and courier services. Businesses from other sectors may also apply, subject to assessment, said the bank.
“SMEs are navigating a far more demanding operating environment today, with rising costs and tighter cash flows becoming immediate concerns. In such conditions, access to financing alone is not enough — speed of access is equally critical,” said group CEO of community financial services at Maybank Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar.
“With SME Perkasa, we are prioritising both, ensuring businesses can obtain the funding they need within 48 hours, alongside the advisory support to help them respond decisively and stay resilient,” he added.
SME Perkasa reflects Maybank’s continued focus on SMEs, with its group community financial services loans in Malaysia growing 6.7% year-on-year in FY2025. This also supports the bank’s ROAR30 goal of mobilising RM100 billion in SME financing by 2030.
Beyond this initiative, Maybank is also providing additional support for individuals and SMEs through its Financial Relief Scheme, which offers reliefs such as reduction in monthly loan repayments and restructuring of short-term business credit.
On Tuesday, shares of Maybank closed up six sen or 0.54% at RM11.24, valuing the country’s largest bank by assets at RM135.95 billion.