Malaysia's Axiata, RHB Bank to jointly bid for digital bank licence

[SINGAPORE] Malaysian telecoms firm Axiata Group has teamed up with RHB Bank to apply for a digital bank licence, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Malaysia's central bank has called for digital bank applications by June 30 and said it may issue up to five licences for online-only banks.

Across Asia, regulators are opening up banking for digital players, encouraged by a boom in mobile connectivity and the prospect of tech firms offering low-cost financial services. The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the need for digital transactions.

Axiata declined to comment on the digital bank application with RHB but said in an email it would hold a news conference with the bank on Wednesday "on significant partnerships that will expand collaborations between both parties." RHB also declined to comment.

REUTERS