CIMB Group Holdings group CEO Novan Amirudin.
PETALING JAYA: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd
has been upgraded from AA to the highest possible rating AAA in the MSCI ESG Ratings.
MSCI ESG Ratings evaluate how well companies manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities that may affect financial performance.
The rating combines corporate disclosures with alternative data sources to assign a score relative to industry peers.
In a statement, CIMB said the upgrade “reflects strengthened sustainability practices and disclosures, particularly in the consumer protection and workforce-management pillars.
“CIMB maintained a robust environmental score of 9.2, a testament to disciplined management of environmental risks within its credit underwriting process,” it added.
Separately, CIMB was top-ranked globally among financial institutions in the 2025 Financial System Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), and second globally for inclusive finance.
The bank said the ranking recognises its efforts to expand access to financial services and support a just transition for all segments of society.
“These advancements are supported by the implementation of sector-specific environmental-credit policies and transparent-governance practices,” it added.
WBA’s Financial System Benchmark assesses how the world’s 400 most influential financial institutions are transforming the financial system for a more just and sustainable future.
The benchmark identifies areas where progress and leadership are possible, measured against global standards and peer performance.
CIMB Group chief executive officer Novan Amirudin said the ratings reflect the bank’s efforts “in embedding sustainability into its core operations, ensuring our foundational frameworks become part of our daily decision-making”.
“This approach is integral to our strategy, where sustainability is not treated as a standalone agenda, but as a key driver of how we grow and deliver impact,” he said.
He added that the benchmarks are primarily indicators that the bank’s strategy was moving in the right direction.
Beyond external ratings, CIMB said it was focusing on helping customers and businesses navigate the shift to a more sustainable economy.
As part of its commitment to mobilising RM300bil in sustainable finance by 2030, CIMB said it was expanding sustainability advisory, carbon and nature finance offerings, and small and medium enterprise workshops that translate sustainability requirements into practical business and financing strategies.
“The group also aims to connect businesses with credible decarbonisation solution providers and incentivise progress through sustainability-linked financing tied to measurable outcomes,” it added.
CIMB has 571 branches and over 33,000 employees in Asean. It is also the 91.45% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.83% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.
