CIMB launches CIMB OCTO Biz to empower businesses to accelerate growth and strengthen connectivity across ASEAN

9 October 2025

Introduces SME FlexiCash/-i, a revenue-based lending solution to drive SME growth

Kuala Lumpur: CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Group”) today unveiled its bold digital-first strategy, aimed at empowering businesses through smarter onboarding, real-time insights, and seamless cross-border capabilities that will enable sole proprietors, SMEs and corporate clients to scale efficiently and connect seamlessly across ASEAN markets. This strategic approach reinforces CIMB’s role as a trusted banking partner and catalyst for both local and international expansion. Aligned with this vision, the Group launched two pioneering business solutions at the CIMB ASEAN SME Economic Forum – CIMB OCTO Biz (“CIMB OCTO Biz” or “the App”) and SME FlexiCash/-i, each designed to accelerate business expansion and drive sustainable growth.

With features tailored to facilitate growth beyond borders, the App enables seamless cross-border payments, efficient management of international transactions and access to treasury, FX and trade solutions, as well as intelligent management tools. Following its launch in Malaysia, CIMB OCTO Biz will be rolled out in Indonesia and Singapore by 1H 2026, followed by Cambodia and other ASEAN markets progressively.

Present at the event were YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development together with Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman and Novan Amirudin, Group CEO of CIMB.

Novan said, “We see banking as a strategic enabler of growth, transformation and financial inclusion. Our focus is to equip businesses and communities with capabilities and insights necessary to navigate a dynamic economic environment. The launch of CIMB OCTO Biz underscores this commitment by delivering secured, seamless, inclusive and future-ready financial solutions that support sustainable business expansion across ASEAN and beyond. This is central to our Forward30 strategy, leveraging digital innovation to drive sustainable value creation, in line with our purpose of advancing customers and society.”

Designed to support the full spectrum of business needs, CIMB OCTO Biz builds on the user experience of CIMB OCTO for retail customers by integrating banking services with essential business management tools into a seamless, secure and intuitive app. This integration helps businesses streamline operations and enjoy a simplified banking journey.

Lawrence Loh, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Group Commercial and Transaction Banking, CIMB Group said, “CIMB is reshaping business banking with a digital-first approach that goes beyond transactions to drive growth. CIMB OCTO Biz brings together banking insights and business tools in a single ecosystem, allowing businesses to manage operations effortlessly, access financing seamlessly and make smarter, data-driven decisions. Operating more than just a platform, CIMB OCTO Biz serves as a catalyst for ASEAN businesses to scale with confidence across local and global markets. This approach reflects CIMB’s ambition to be the leading digital-first SME bank in the region, backed by its strong ASEAN footprint and deep understanding of business needs.”

Powered by AI and data-driven insights, CIMB OCTO Biz offers businesses access to real-time cash flow dashboards and financing applications, providing greater control and visibility over their finances. Embedded within the App, SME FlexiCash/-i, is a revenue-based lending product that analyses account history and transaction behaviours, to instantly grant businesses with pre-qualified financing limit, removing the administrative processes of traditional loan applications. Designed to be cash flow-friendly, businesses can repay based on agreed percentage of their earnings, alleviating the pressure of large fixed monthly instalments. This innovative approach accelerates access to capital, promotes transparency and empowers businesses manage cash flow with greater ease and confidence. 

CIMB OCTO Biz also delivers hyper-personalised solutions, proactively identifying and recommending relevant products and services tailored to each customer’s unique business profile. By turning data insights into actionable value, CIMB OCTO Biz ensures every interaction is purposeful and supports the evolving needs of its users, enhancing banking experience while helping businesses uncover growth opportunities and improve operational efficiency.

To date, more than half of CIMB SME clients have already onboarded OCTO Biz, reflecting strong early adoption. In 2025 alone, the platform has recorded a transaction value of RM17 billion across 7 million transactions, underscoring its growing relevance and usage among businesses. The App is expected to be fully rolled out with its complete suite of features and solutions by year end, with new enhancements introduced progressively. This agile approach gives CIMB greater flexibility to respond quickly to evolving business needs and scale the platform efficiently. 

Consistent with its “Kita Bagi Jadi” campaign, CIMB has further simplified banking needs for sole proprietors and SMEs where online account opening will be fully available by end 2025, allowing faster, easier, and fully digital account onboarding without branch visits.

The App is now available on both website and app which can be downloaded as ‘CIMB OCTO Biz’ on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.

For more information, please visit https://www.cimb.com.my/octobiz

(From left: Ahmad Shazli Kamarulzaman, Co-CEO of Group Commercial and Transaction Banking of CIMB; Novan Amirudin, Group CEO of CIMB; Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, YB Datuk Ewon Benedick; Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz; Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairperson of CIMB; and Lawrence Loh, Co-CEO of Group Commercial and Transaction Banking of CIMB, at the launch of CIMB OCTO Biz in conjunction with the ASEAN SME Economic Forum 2025.

From left: Ahmad Shazli Kamarulzaman, Co-CEO of Group Commercial and Transaction Banking, CIMB; Novan Amirudin, Group CEO of CIMB; and Lawrence Loh, Co-CEO of Group Commercial and Transaction Banking, CIMB showcasing CIMB OCTO Biz.