CIMB achieves MSCI AAA rating and ranks #1 globally in WBA’s Financial System Benchmark

22 January 2026

Kuala Lumpur : CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Group”) has been upgraded from AA to AAA in the MSCI ESG Ratings, the highest possible rating. The upgrade reflects strengthened sustainability practices and disclosures, particularly in the consumer protection and workforce management pillars. Furthermore, CIMB maintained a robust environmental score of 9.2, a testament to its disciplined management of environmental risks within its credit underwriting process. 

MSCI ESG Ratings evaluate how well companies manage the environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) risks and opportunities specific to their industry that may affect financial performance. Using rules-based methodologies, MSCI assesses thousands of global issuers by combining corporate disclosures with alternative data sources. Each company is then assigned a rating from AAA to CCC, reflecting its resilience to these risks relative to its industry peers.

Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Group said, “Our recent achievements reflect our efforts in embedding sustainability more deeply into our core operations, ensuring our foundational frameworks become part of our daily decision‑making. This approach is integral to our Forward30 strategy, where sustainability is not treated as a standalone agenda, but as a key driver of how we grow and deliver impact.

While we are encouraged by the MSCI AAA rating and the recognition from the World Benchmarking Alliance, we view these benchmarks primarily as indicators that our strategy is moving in the right direction. What truly differentiates CIMB is our ability to translate ambition into execution by supporting our clients through the transition and delivering meaningful, real‑economy impact across ASEAN, in line with our purpose of advancing customers and society."

CIMB was also ranked #1 globally among financial institutions in the 2025 Financial System Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance (“WBA”), as well as securing the #2 spot globally for Inclusive Finance, in recognition of its efforts to expand access to financial services and support a just transition that ensures socio-economic progress reaches all segments of society. These advancements are supported by the implementation of sector-specific environmental credit policies and transparent governance practices.

WBA’s Financial System Benchmark assesses how the world's 400 most influential financial institutions are transforming the financial system for a more just and sustainable future. The benchmark encourages action by identifying areas where progress and leadership are possible, measured against global standards and peer performance.

Beyond external ratings, CIMB’s focus is on supporting and enabling its customers as they navigate the transition to a more sustainable economy. As part of its commitment to mobilising RM300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030, the Group is sharpening its efforts to help clients manage transition risks and capture opportunities linked to decarbonisation and nature-positive solutions. This includes expanding CIMB’s sustainability advisory, carbon finance and nature finance offerings, with a strong emphasis on practical support for small and medium enterprises (“SMEs”) through sector-specific workshops that help translate sustainability requirements into clear business and financing strategies. The Group also aims to connect businesses with credible decarbonisation solution providers and incentivise progress through sustainability-linked financing tied to measurable outcomes.