Grand prize winner for FY2024 Shamuddin (centre) flanked by Maybank Islamic deputy chief executive officer and community banking head Nor Shahrizan Sulaiman (left) and Maybank Islamic chief executive officer Datuk Muzaffar Hisham (right) at the recent prize-giving ceremony. —CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
IN mid-January 2025, Shamuddin Abdul Aziz received a phone call that would alter the course of his life.
The 54-year-old, still grieving the recent loss of his mother, felt a wave of uncertainty when Maybank officers asked him to visit their local branch. He had never expected his modest savings to warrant urgent attention.
For years, Shamuddin – a self-taught cook had navigated a simple yet hardworking life, selling food at a pasar malam.
He only started setting aside small amounts in his Maybank Islamic Bhd Zest-i account the year before. So, when he arrived at the bank and was handed an official letter, he could hardly believe his eyes.
“I was in shock,” Shamuddin recalls. “I won RM1mil.”
Turning savings into rewarding possibilities
As a Zest-i account holder, Shamuddin was among more than 1,000 fortunate savers to be rewarded for their commitment to financial planning.
Launched in 2019, the Zest-i Account is a pioneering product within the Maybank Group that integrates a permanent prize draw feature, making banking incredibly rewarding.
With a minimum deposit of just RM200, customers automatically earn entries into multiple prize categories.
Yearly grand prize winner Aidiel Syafiq Daud was rewarded with 1kg worth of gold in the form of Maybank Islamic Gold Account (MIGA-i).
The more account holders invest, the higher their chances of winning. From monthly and quarterly rewards to the grand annual prize, the programme has transformed ordinary savings into extraordinary opportunities – culminating in the RM1mil windfall that changed Shamuddin’s life.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect anything. I just wanted to put my money in the bank to keep it safe,” Shamuddin shared. “Winning anything was never on my mind.”
More than just a bank
According to Maybank Islamic chief executive officer Datuk Muzaffar Hisham, Zest-i was designed to encourage better saving habits while offering lucrative rewards.
“It’s not just about earning returns – it’s about building financial resilience and introducing customers to different financial opportunities,” Muzaffar explained. “Once they start engaging with our banking services, they become more open to savings and investment options.”
Unlike traditional savings accounts, Zest-i operates as an investment account, ensuring that funds are actively invested into the bank’s financing assets while maintaining a prudent risk profile and exposure.
Lee Kah Yan, the grand prize winner of the quarterly category, took home a Proton X70.
The selection of winners is entirely random, with the odds increasing alongside investment amounts. However, Muzaffar was quick to emphasise that account holders never lose their principal amount.
“You're not losing anything. Your money is still intact, you get returns. It's just a form of lucky draw,” he added.
Beyond rewards, Maybank Islamic channels its profits into community development through zakat contributions and charitable initiatives.
“For us, it's not just about generating profit – it's about how we can best serve the community and in turn, contribute – both directly and indirectly– to the country's economy,” said Muzaffar.
Listening to customers, elevating rewards
Over the years, Maybank Islamic has refined Zest-i’ Account’s reward structure based on customer feedback. Last year’s winners took home RM1mil, cars and gold bars.
This year, after extensive customer surveys, the prize pool has expanded to include upscale properties in Kuala Lumpur.
“We put our customers at the heart of everything we do,” Muzaffar shared. “Their feedback shapes our rewards, ensuring that they win prizes that truly matter to them.”
Fellow Zest-i account holder Andy Alinus won a Perodua Ativa as the grand prize winner in the monthly category.
This year, Maybank Islamic’s Zest-i Account boasts an impressive RM5mil prize pool, with a celebratory prize-giving ceremony held recently in Glasshouse at Seputeh.
Among the 2024 winners were Aidiel Syafiq Daud from Kelantan, who received 1kg worth of gold, and quarterly winner Lee Kah Yan from Perak, who drove home a brand-new Proton X70. Sabah’s Andy Alinus, a monthly winner, was overjoyed to claim his Perodua Ativa.
Gift that keeps on giving
As Maybank Islamic unveiled the upcoming FY2025 prizes, it became clear that the bank’s commitment to rewarding customers remains stronger than ever.
The monthly draw now offers RM50,000 in cash, 14 units of the latest iPhone 16 Pro and various cash prizes.
Quarterly prizes include a brand-new Honda City Hatchback RS, gold bars and additional cash rewards.
For Shamuddin, the unexpected blessing carries a deeper significance. He believes his late mother’s prayers had a hand in his good fortune.
“She always prayed for Allah to bless me and ease my burdens,” he said softly. “This money will help my family, my siblings and even my community mosque.”
