Digital banking solutions to serve remote communities

RHB Bank's digital solutions, in support of the financial inclusion efforts by the Sarawak government, will also accelerate local economic activity.

A PARTNERSHIP has been forged to accelerate the delivery of financial services to underserved communities in Sarawak.

RHB Banking Group has partnered with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) to enable these communities to go cashless.

The “Marih Go Cashless in Bario” campaign is the first of a series of campaigns to drive greater financial accessibility for rural communities.

Through this campaign, members of the remote Bario community will benefit from convenient access to banking solutions such as opening accounts, DuitNow services and MyDebit transactions. These digital solutions in support of the financial inclusion efforts by Sarawak government will also accelerate local economic activity.

Various activities including a cashless Bario bazaar at the end of September have been lined up, targeted to equip 200 local merchants and residents with DuitNow services as well as MyDebit transactions.

RHB Banking group managing director and group chief executive officer Mohd Rashid Mohamad said, “As well as Marih Go Cashless in Bario, there is RHB’s mobile automated teller machine (RHB mobile ATM) that extends basic banking services to the communities in Oya, Igan, Balingian, Asajaya and Sadong Jaya.

“PayNet’s ‘Cashless Kampung’ project, which was designed to extend the benefits of digital payments in underserved areas, has been very successful.

“This is the third launch since the campaign started in June and our first launch in Sarawak.”

Bario is in the remote highlands of Sarawak and has limited connectivity.

Thus, banking solutions such as MyDebit and DuitNow will now connect Bario’s farming community and small businesses to the broader Malaysian digital ecosystem and simplify commerce in the area.