CEO: Scale remains a priority for CIMB Islamic

KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Islamic, the syariah-compliant unit of Malaysia’s second-biggest lender, said it will pursue a larger balance sheet to help win more business, regardless of whether a proposed merger with two smaller peers happens.

In July, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, RHB Capital Bhd and Malaysia Building Society Bhd secured regulatory approval to begin merger talks, with plans calling for the creation of a separate Islamic bank.