KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank has strengthened its support for Malaysian SMEs through targeted financial solutions, proactive industry engagement and facilitation of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Stabilisation Relief Facility (SRF), as the West Asia conflict continue to affect businesses across multiple sectors nationwide.
Recently, the bank held an industry engagement and dialogue session with the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta), the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, the KL & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia.
The session was part of Maybank’s continued efforts to engage directly with SME ecosystem partners to better understand the concerns faced by businesses on the ground, while ensuring that available financial assistance and relief measures are clearly communicated and accessible to SMEs.
The bank’s support response has been designed to address the challenges SME owners are facing across multiple sectors and business needs. Maybank SME Perkasa, launched on May 12, is a rapid-financing initiative for businesses across sectors affected by the West Asia conflict, with disbursement within 48 hours upon full document execution. In addition, existing SME customers may seek Repayment Assistance under the Financial Relief Scheme, with the bank committed to delivering an outcome within five working days.
Maybank is also facilitating applications for the SRF by BNM, which provides financing of up to RM750,000 for a tenure of up to five years at a maximum financing rate of 3.75% p.a., inclusive of guarantee fee, to businesses affected by the West Asia conflict.
“Malaysian SMEs are more than numbers that contribute to the economy – they are the key drivers of Malaysia’s real economy and the communities they serve. As Malaysia’s largest bank, we have a responsibility to be present to them beyond banking services by listening, understanding evolving business needs and ensuring that the solutions we offer is both accessible and meaningful.
Guided by our mission to Humanise Financial Services, our commitment to Malaysian SMEs is to move alongside them at every stage of their journey, through the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow,” said Maybank community financial services group CEO Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar.
The bank has also begun proactive engagements with its SME customers to discuss available financial assistance and urges businesses experiencing financial pressure to engage early to ensure timely support.
As part of its ROAR30 strategy, Maybank said it remains committed to powering the real economy by supporting SMEs as key drivers of economic growth and industry development through its financial solutions, ecosystem support and continued industry engagement.
The group aims to help businesses navigate current challenges while strengthening long-term resilience and competitiveness, with the aim of mobilising RM100 billion to nurture high-impact, high-value industries across the nation.
