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Instead of being a universal bank across Asean, CIMB wants to have a niche in each market, says group CEO

This strategy will help the lender mitigate some impact from US’ tariff policies

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Tan Nai Lun

Tan Nai Lun

Published Tue, Jul 22, 2025 · 01:41 PM
    • Novan Amirudin (left), group chief executive officer of CIMB, says: “Tariffs are one factor that would impact a company’s or a bank’s financials, but it’s how we then choose to play with the different levers to offset that situation that is the important part.”
    • Novan Amirudin (left), group chief executive officer of CIMB, says: “Tariffs are one factor that would impact a company’s or a bank’s financials, but it’s how we then choose to play with the different levers to offset that situation that is the important part.” PHOTO: CIMB

    [KUALA LUMPUR] CIMB wants to find its niche in each of the markets it is in, instead of trying to serve every customer segment across Asean, said group chief executive officer Novan Amirudin.

    The Malaysian lender positions itself as an Asean-focused bank and has operations in 10 markets globally.

    As one of the largest banks in Malaysia, it has the scale to serve the full spectrum of customers, but it cannot do this elsewhere.

    CIMB GroupMalaysia stocksAsean financeAsia-Pacific

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