GXBank has marked its second anniversary by announcing significant strides in enhancing financial resilience for over one million Malaysians. The digital bank reported that its customers collectively earned $5.1m (RM24m) in interest over the past year. Additionally, GXBank has supported micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by disbursing $5.3m (RM25m) in loans, with account openings and loan applications now streamlined to take as little as eight minutes.

The bank’s FlexiCredit service has proven to be a crucial safety net, with 63% of drawdowns used for unexpected emergencies such as medical bills. This highlights GXBank’s role in serving financially underserved communities in Malaysia. The bank’s efforts underscore the tangible benefits that digital banking can offer, providing a compelling local narrative of its impact.

As GXBank continues to innovate and expand its services, it remains committed to building financial resilience among Malaysians, demonstrating the potential of digital banking to transform financial landscapes.

Bathroom and kitchen sanitary ware provider Sorento Capital Berhad has reported a significant 60.1% increase in net profit for the first quarter of FY26, reaching RM8m. This growth is attributed to the absence of one-off listing expenses from the previous year, which amounted to RM2.1m.

Sorento Capital’s revenue for the quarter ending 30 September 2025 was RM44.1m, slightly down from RM45m in the same period last year. The dealer sales channel remained the primary revenue source, contributing RM29.1m, whilst project-based sales accounted for RM14.6m. Despite the marginal revenue dip, the company’s net profit margin improved to 18.1%.

The Managing Director, Loo Chai Lai, highlighted the upcoming Sorento Concept Showroom in Johor as a pivotal development. Scheduled for completion by December 2025, the showroom aims to boost brand visibility and sales, particularly tapping into the Singaporean market. “Given Johor’s proximity to Singapore and the favourable exchange rate, we are seeing more Singaporeans shopping in Malaysia,” Loo stated.

Sorento Capital’s financial health remains robust, with cash reserves of RM43.5m and net operating cash flow of RM17.8m as of 30 September 2025. The company, listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities in October 2024, continues to focus on strategic collaborations and sustainable growth, leveraging Johor’s burgeoning property and infrastructure sectors.

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has reported a profit before tax (PBT) of RM8.12b for the nine months ending 30 September 2025, achieving an annualised return on average equity of 11.3%. The financial results were driven by the group’s Forward30 strategy, despite facing macroeconomic challenges and rate cuts across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

In the third quarter of 2025, CIMB recorded a 7.3% increase in PBT, reaching RM2.84b, whilst net profit rose by 10% to RM2.08b. This growth was supported by a 6.2% rise in operating income, with non-interest income increasing by 20.3% quarter-on-quarter to RM2.13b. The group’s net interest margin remained stable at 2.08%.

CIMB’s capital position strengthened, with the Common Equity Tier 1 ratio improving to 14.8% by the end of September 2025. The group announced plans to return up to RM2b to shareholders by 2027 through special dividends and share buybacks, subject to market conditions. A special dividend of RM760.2m, or 7.0 sen per share, is set to be distributed on 24 December 2025.

The group’s asset quality remained stable, with a gross impaired loans ratio of 1.9% and allowance coverage of 102.8%. CIMB’s Forward30 strategy continues to focus on capital, cash, cross-sell, and capabilities, with initiatives like CIMB OCTO Biz and a significant Panda Bond issuance furthering its role in financial integration.

Novan Amirudin, Group CEO, stated, “This capital return forms part of our Forward30 strategy to always be disciplined with capital and reflects the Group’s confidence in the long-term performance trajectory.” As CIMB approaches the final quarter of 2025, it remains optimistic about meeting its targets and sustaining growth amidst economic challenges.

Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad has introduced its Smart Home Cover, a comprehensive home insurance solution designed to provide Malaysians with flexible and lasting protection. As property values rise and the risk of unexpected events like floods and fires increases, this new offering aims to deliver peace of mind to homeowners, tenants, and landlords.

Smart Home Cover provides an all-in-one solution that safeguards both residential buildings and their contents, eliminating the need for multiple policies. Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz General, stated, “More than just Fire insurance, Smart Home Cover provides protection and convenience across multiple aspects of home ownership or tenancy.”

The insurance includes five customisable components: HouseOwner (Building), HouseHolder (Contents), Mortgage Loan Instalment Protection, HomeFix, and Landlord Insurance. These components cover a range of risks from structural damage due to natural disasters to personal property loss from burglary.

For added convenience, Allianz General offers a Multi-Year Plan, ensuring three years of uninterrupted coverage with a single premium payment. This plan eliminates the hassle of annual renewals, providing long-term value and peace of mind.

The recent earthquakes in southern Malaysia highlight the importance of comprehensive home protection. With Smart Home Cover, Allianz General aims to make it easier for Malaysians to manage their home insurance needs, ensuring their properties are safeguarded against both common and rare events.

Oriental Kopi Holdings Berhad has announced its financial results for the year ending 30 September 2025, revealing a record revenue of RM450.9m. This marks a 62.6% increase from the previous year, driven by strong demand from both local and international customers at its café outlets. The company also saw a rise in sales from its packaged food products.

The net profit for FY25 rose by 40.9% to RM60.8m, compared to RM43.1m in FY24. Excluding IPO listing expenses, the adjusted net profit would have been RM62.1m, with a margin of 13.8%. The fourth quarter alone saw a revenue of RM133.2m, a 14.1% increase from the previous quarter, although net profit slightly decreased to RM15.9m due to higher overheads and tax rates.

Managing Director Calvin Chan highlighted the company’s strategic expansion, with new outlets opening in key locations such as AEON Mall Bandaraya in Melaka and Westgate Mall in Singapore. Chan stated, “Our record performance achieved in FY25 reflects the disciplined execution of our expansion strategy whilst maintaining firm control over quality and operational standards.”

Looking forward, Oriental Kopi plans to continue its growth by expanding its café presence and exporting its packaged foods internationally. The company remains optimistic about future prospects, buoyed by the expected increase in tourist arrivals to Malaysia. As of 30 September 2025, Oriental Kopi operates 25 cafés in Malaysia and three in Singapore.

Powerwell Holdings Berhad has announced its financial results for the first half of the financial year 2026, ending 30 September 2025, revealing a significant 64.8% year-on-year increase in revenue to RM75.1m. The company’s net profit surged 2.6 times to RM9.4m, marking its best-ever performance for the period. This growth was attributed to higher deliveries in Malaysia and increased contributions from international markets, including Bangladesh and Indonesia.

The group’s second-quarter revenue rose by 35.1% year-on-year to RM39.2m, bolstered by contributions from newly acquired fire suppression systems subsidiaries. Powerwell’s gross profit margin also improved to 31.2% from 18.3% a year ago, reflecting more efficient operations and higher-margin projects.

Catherine Wong Yoke Yen, Managing Director of Powerwell, expressed optimism about the company’s future, citing favourable industry conditions and Malaysia’s economic growth. “We are pleased to have kept up the healthy earnings growth momentum and delivered our best-ever first half performance,” she said. The company has secured a RM9.5m data centre project in Selangor, its third data centre win this financial year.

Powerwell’s order book stood at RM105m as of 30 September 2025, excluding the recent contract, providing strong earnings visibility. The company declared a first interim dividend of 0.5 sen per ordinary share, amounting to RM2.9m. Looking ahead, Powerwell anticipates further growth from the renewable energy, data centre, and infrastructure sectors, supported by a 20% expansion of its assembly lines at the Kota Kemuning plant.

Singapore-based Precious Medical Group has announced the launch of the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Centre and Hospital in Johor Bahru, a significant $106m (RM500m) investment aimed at enhancing cancer care in Malaysia. The facility, set to open on 5 December 2025, will feature state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, including a PET-CT and radiotherapy centre.

The centre will house Malaysia’s first cyclotron outside the Klang Valley, enabling local production of medical radioisotopes for cancer imaging and therapy. This advancement is expected to improve early detection and treatment availability whilst reducing reliance on distant supply chains. The project is strategically located at Larkin Sentral within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), facilitating cross-border medical collaboration and talent mobility.

The development is projected to create approximately 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to the economic goals of the JS-SEZ. Following the cancer centre’s inauguration, Precious Medical Group plans to develop a 200-bed hospital on the same site, offering comprehensive inpatient oncology and integrated support services.

Named after the late Tunku Abdul Jalil, the fourth child of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, the hospital aims to strengthen Malaysia’s healthcare system, which already attracts over 1.5 million medical tourists annually. This initiative is poised to bolster the international reputation of Malaysia’s healthcare sector, enhancing its capacity and resilience.

Malaysian businesses are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, with 87% using data analytics tools and 85% having adopted AI. However, a mere 18% have fully integrated cybersecurity into their operational strategies, significantly below the survey average of 28%, as revealed by CPA Australia’s latest Business Technology Survey. This gap leaves many businesses vulnerable to digital threats.

The survey highlights that 17% of Malaysian businesses only react to cyber threats as they occur, and 19% are unaware or unsure of their employer’s cybersecurity management. Priya Terumalay, CPA Australia’s Regional Head for Southeast Asia, emphasised the need for businesses to embed robust cybersecurity processes into their core strategies to protect digital assets amidst the rise of AI-generated scams and phishing attacks.

Despite the strong uptake of AI tools, deep integration into business operations remains low at 11%, compared to the survey average of 16%. Most businesses use AI tools occasionally, relying on readily available options like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Those that have integrated AI report benefits such as increased productivity and improved accuracy in repetitive tasks.

Barriers to technology adoption include high implementation costs, limited technology literacy among senior management, and tech talent shortages. Priya noted that strengthening the technology capabilities of senior leadership is crucial for Malaysia to maintain its competitive edge in digital maturity.

The Malaysian government aims to position the country as an AI-driven economy, with the AI Technology Action Plan 2026–2030 set to be tabled in December. As AI continues to transform industries, businesses must balance technological advancements with human expertise to fully realise AI’s potential.

Allianz Malaysia Berhad has announced the appointment of Giulio Slavich as the new Chief Executive Officer of its life insurance subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad, effective 1 January 2026. Slavich will succeed Charles Ong, who is retiring on 31 December 2025 after more than 30 years in the insurance industry.

Slavich joined Allianz Malaysia as Chief Financial Officer in 2022, where he successfully led financial reporting and sustainability initiatives, including the implementation of IFRS 9 and 17. He also spearheaded the company’s agency transformation programme. Before his tenure at Allianz Malaysia, Slavich was the Global Head of the Centre for Competence for Life & Health at Allianz SE Group and led the Life segment in Allianz Italy.

Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz Malaysia, expressed confidence in Slavich’s leadership, stating, “Giulio brings a wealth of experience to his new role, with 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. His career reflects a deep understanding of global insurance dynamics and adaptability across large insurance groups.”

Anusha Thavarajah, Regional CEO of Allianz Asia Pacific, highlighted the significance of Slavich’s appointment, noting, “Giulio’s appointment reflects our strong talent pipeline and commitment to developing leaders who will lead, shape the industry, and drive long-term, sustainable growth.”

The transition marks a new chapter for Allianz Life, as the company continues to build on its strong foundation in Malaysia. Charles Ong’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing a resilient business, and he will continue to contribute in an advisory role.

AEON Bank and Zurich Malaysia have expanded their collaboration to provide affordable Takaful protection through the AEON Bank app. The partnership introduces two micro-Takaful plans—Personal Accident Takaful and Term Takaful—designed for Malaysians aged 18 to 59. These plans, starting at RM5 and RM18 per month respectively, offer a fully digital enrolment process, making Shariah-compliant coverage more accessible.

The initiative, launched on 29 October 2025, builds on a partnership established in May 2024. It aims to meet modern consumers’ demands for security and convenience by integrating essential protection plans into the digital banking ecosystem. AEON Bank’s CEO, Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, emphasised the importance of providing affordable protection seamlessly through the app, which customers already use for daily financial activities.

Zurich Malaysia’s Country CEO, Junior Cho, highlighted the collaboration’s role in making ethical and inclusive protection accessible. “This partnership harmonises AEON Bank’s digital innovation and Zurich’s global protection expertise,” he stated, noting Zurich’s 150-year history of providing reliable protection solutions.

The Personal Accident Takaful plan covers total permanent disablement or accidental death, with coverage options up to RM80,000. The Term Takaful plan offers broader protection, including death or total permanent disability from all causes, with coverage up to RM80,000. Both plans are available 24/7 via the AEON Bank app, ensuring easy management and enrolment.

Looking ahead, AEON Bank and Zurich Malaysia plan to continue developing inclusive Takaful solutions to cater to the fast-paced digital lifestyles of Malaysians.