New CIMB Group CEO Novan upbeat about prospects for 2H24

Robust performance: CIMB Group Holdings group chief financial officer Khairul Rifaie (left) and Novan at the lender’s financial results briefing.

STRIDING into the conference room full of media personnel to announce the first half results of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, newly minted group chief executive (CEO) Novan Amirudin personified positivity.

It is barely two months since the jovial veteran investment banker has taken over the reins of Malaysia’s second largest banking group and yet the optimistic buzz is palpable with Novan eager to keep the traditionally strong performance of the lender going.