PETALING JAYA: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) reported strong 2025 results, with total approved financing rising 19% year-on-year (y-o-y) to about RM4.3bil.
In a statement, the bank said the growth reflects sustained demand across key sectors, including bumiputera development, technology and innovation, digital adoption, climate-resilient initiatives, the halal industry and tourism, in line with Bank Negara’s Performance Measurement Framework and the MADANI Economic Framework.
Relief president/ chief executive officer Samad Majid Zain said: "SME Bank's performance in 2025 reaffirms our developmental mandate in strengthening Malaysia's MSME ecosystem.”
He added that of the RM4.3bil in approved financing, about RM3.8bil was channelled to MSMEs, up around 20% y-o-y, with more than 60% of customers securing financing of RM1mil and below.
Samad said the growth in financing underscores the bank’s continued focus on expanding access for underserved and unserved entrepreneurs.
“This progress is further reinforced by the government's trust in the bank, with close to RM2bil in strategic initiatives mandated under National Budget 2026 to accelerate inclusive MSME growth and strengthen enterprise resilience across the economy,” he added.
Beyond financing, Samad said SME Bank delivered integrated solutions encompassing capacity building and targeted advisory support.
“In 2025, the bank supported more than 14,500 entrepreneurs through our overall developmental, social and financial inclusion initiatives.
“These efforts support the continued strengthening of Malaysia's MSME ecosystem, which contributes close to 40% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to more than RM650bil in economic value," he said.
He added that it overall underpins the sector's critical role in driving inclusive growth, employment and economic resilience.
