KUALA LUMPUR, September 4 – CIMB Bank Berhad and CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad, collectively known as CIMB, have proudly unveiled their first branch with integrated sustainable features at IOI City Towers in IOI Resort City, Putrajaya. The branch, situated in a Green Building Index (GBI) certified building, represents CIMB’s commitment to promoting environmental consciousness and social inclusion within its banking services.
Emphasizing its sustainable finance agenda, CIMB will adopt an ESG-first approach at the IOI City Mall branch, offering a suite of conventional and Islamic banking solutions with a focus on green financing, electric vehicle financing, solar financing, ESG wealth products, B40 financing, and environmentally-focused deposits. As the first bank in Malaysia to provide a complete range of sustainable finance solutions, CIMB aims to make sustainable practices more accessible and rewarding for its customers. Designed to be inclusive and customer-centric, the CIMB IOI City Mall branch is equipped with tailored facilities and services to accommodate customers with special needs.
These amenities include a priority ATM lane with improved accessibility, wheelchair services, and designated low counters for over-the-counter transactions. These features ensure a welcoming and convenient banking experience for all customers, regardless of their physical abilities. In alignment with its environmental commitments, the branch incorporates eco-friendly elements to reduce energy consumption and emissions. It utilizes energy-efficient cooling and lighting systems, certified sustainable construction materials with recycled content, and reused office furniture. These measures contribute to the Bank’s mission to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2030.
Effendy Shahul Hamid, the Chief Executive Officer of Group Consumer and Digital Banking at CIMB Group, stated, “Banking is not just about a product or service, but also about ensuring we anticipate customer requirements and provide them with the best banking experience across every touchpoint. That is why we are proud to introduce this first-of-its-kind branch in Malaysia that fully exemplifies our commitment to social inclusion and reducing our environmental impact.” He further added, “At CIMB, we strongly believe in ensuring all members of society, including persons with special needs, have seamless and convenient access to financial services.
By continuing to digitalize and equip our branch network with enhancements to improve accessibility, we aspire to ensure that all customers feel welcome and included when engaging and banking with us.” CIMB’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond this single branch. The integration of sustainable features into its branch network will be a core part of CIMB’s approach moving forward. The Bank aims to design new branches nationwide to minimize environmental impact and emissions while retrofitting and enhancing existing branches with energy-efficient lighting and cooling systems.
As part of its ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, CIMB has already reduced GHG emissions in its Malaysian branch network by 16% between 2019 and 2022. The Bank aims to double this reduction in the next two years, reinforcing its dedication to mitigating climate change. CIMB’s commitment to financial inclusion is also evident in its efforts to improve banking accessibility. By 2023, the Bank plans to equip all branches in its network across Malaysia with wheelchairs, and it aims to increase the number of branches with wheelchair ramp access by 2024.
The introduction of the first sustainable branch at IOI City Mall marks a significant milestone for CIMB in its journey towards a more inclusive and environmentally conscious banking ecosystem, providing customers with a refreshing and responsible banking experience.
