Champions nature and biodiversity conservation, environmental education and community empowerment initiatives nationwide through EcoSave-i
 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (“CIMB Islamic” or “the Bank”) recently committed RM20 million to drive environmental conservation and restoration initiatives across Malaysia from 2026 to 2030. The renewed pledge, channelled through the Bank’s flagship EcoSave-i savings account (“EcoSave-i), underscores CIMB Islamic’s long-term dedication to responsible finance, community empowerment, environmental education and conservation, aligned with CIMB Group’s purpose in advancing customers and society.

The commitment was formalised at the CIMB Islamic Green Showcase, together with nature conservation partners including Amanah Warisan Negara (“AWAN”), The Habitat Foundation, Reef Check Malaysia, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (“UPSI”), Malaysia Nature Society, WWF- Malaysia, Malaysia Forest Fund, Forest House, Leap Spiral, Your Idea Maker, Free Tree Society and Penang Institute. The Bank also renewed its agreement with AWAN, the primary custodian of Taman Tugu, for the continuation of the Taman Tugu Adoption and Nature Education Programme for another two years.

The investment scales up CIMB Islamic’s growing portfolio of nature conservation, biodiversity protection and community-led environmental programmes across eight states including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Johor, Terengganu and Sabah. Through strategic partnerships with nature conservation partners, academic institutions and community groups, CIMB Islamic effectively channels funds into meaningful programmes that strengthen long term ecosystem resilience and sustain the livelihoods of the local communities.

Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic said, “Our mission to advance customers and society is built on environmental stewardship and community resilience. Through EcoSave‑i, we operationalise the Shariah principles by integrating sustainability into everyday banking practices. The RM20 million investment reaffirms our belief that sustainability is the fundamental lens through which we allocate capital. By embedding these principles into our core financial offerings, we are supporting development that is inclusive, responsible and ecologically resilient for generations to come.”

“We are also pleased to extend our support with 12 nature conservation partners, including AWAN, to support a range of impactful environmental initiatives nationwide. As part of this, CIMB Islamic will continue its support for the Taman Tugu Adoption and Nature Education Programme for another two years, reaffirming our commitment to Taman Tugu and expanding the programme’s impact through enhanced outreach to schools and B40 communities. Over the years, Taman Tugu has transformed into a vital sanctuary for nature-based learning and recreation, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and easily accessible to the public, offering Malaysians a unique space to reconnect with our natural heritage and fostering a strong sense of shared responsibility toward nature conservation.”

The refreshed commitment through EcoSave-i enables CIMB Islamic to expand its support from the Peninsula to East Malaysia. In the northern corridors, the Bank continues to strengthen biodiversity efforts within the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve and Royal Belum State Park, while extending forest restoration and human-elephant conflict mitigation in Ulu Muda, Kedah. Central to its agenda is the protection of the Central Forest Spine. This includes initiatives within the Klang Valley such as the UPSI Edu-Forest initiative, the Rantaian Urban Green Space project, and the Penjaga Gunung Project, which empowers Orang Asli youth as the next generation of forest stewards.

In Terengganu, the Bank is deepening its footprint in Setiu, alongside coastal and coral rehabilitation efforts in Redang, Tioman and the Mersing islands. In Sabah, the Bank continues to support initiatives such as the Babagon Water Catchment and the Ulu Kalumpang Rehabilitation Programme, which focus on long-term watershed protection and restoration of wetland habitats, while empowering indigenous communities with sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Through these diverse initiatives, EcoSave-i serves as a meaningful example of how Islamic finance is able to mobilise capital for environmental sustainability. Anchored in principles of social and ecological value creation, CIMB continues to deliver lasting positive impact for the environment while ensuring underserved groups are included in the transition towards a greener economy.

EcoSave-i is Malaysia’s first environmentally focused Islamic savings account, designed to support conservation initiatives and forms a key component of CIMB Group’s broader Green, Social, Sustainable Impact Products and Services (“GSSIPS”) framework, which aims to mobilise RM300 billion in sustainable financing by 2030. Through EcoSave-i, CIMB Islamic contributes 0.2% of the total average portfolio balance per annum from the Bank’s own funds* towards environmental projects, enabling the public to contribute and support these conservation initiatives by opening an account online or at any CIMB branch nationwide. Customers who maintain a monthly average balance of RM5,000 without over-the-counter transactions are eligible to receive a RM5 monthly cash incentive.

For more information on EcoSave-i, please visit http://www.cimb.com.my/ecosave.

* Subject to maximum amount (if any) as stated in the product T&C
 

About CIMB
 
CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM79.0 billion as at 30 September 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

 
Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 571 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 30 September 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award- winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 91.45% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.83% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.

Link to photos​: 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10uI0LguJ3dv2i1MhXE1WuKcx589Slnap 

Photo Caption:
Photo 1: CIMB Islamic commits RM20 million, channeled through 12 partners to drive environmental conservation and restoration initiatives across Malaysia, at the CIMB Islamic Green Showcase powered by EcoSave-i.
 
Photo 2: (From left) Fizulin Mohamed Zin, Senior Vice President, Corporate & Support Services, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Datin Azlina Mahmad, Chairperson of CIMB Islamic, and Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic, planted trees at Taman Tugu, Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the CIMB Islamic Green Showcase powered by EcoSave-i event.

SOURCE: CIMB Group

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com