Bridges debt management and financial literacy through CIMB’s DURIAN-i account

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) – CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Bank”) has formalised a Collaboration Agreement with Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (“PTPTN”) to promote positive financial wellbeing among PTPTN borrowers. This initiative integrates a RM500,000 cash prize pool into CIMB’s Shariah-compliant Daily Unrestricted Investment Account-i (“DURIAN-i”) ecosystem, leveraging the respective strengths of both organisations to encourage responsible financial behaviour and consistent repayment habits.

The partnership bridges the gap between debt obligations and wealth accumulation by incentivising PTPTN borrowers to utilise the DURIAN-i account. By linking loan repayments with a growthoriented investment account that offers exciting rewards, the initiative supports young Malaysians in balancing repayment obligations while taking early steps toward wealth accumulation and a more sustainable financial future.

This strategic collaboration is a vital step in ensuring PTPTN’s fund remains sustainable for the next generation. To date, PTPTN has assisted over 4.27 million borrowers in pursuing higher education, with total loan disbursements exceeding RM77.63 billion. By introducing the “Setel PTPTN dengan CIMB” Campaign from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, PTPTN aims to demonstrate that fulfilling one’s duty to the fund can be both rewarding and a catalyst for personal financial growth.

Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Islamic said, “We are pleased to partner with PTPTN as we work to empower Malaysians with the right tools to build a more secure financial future, in line with our purpose of advancing customers and society. Education financing is often the first major financial commitment for many Malaysians, and through this collaboration, we aim to go beyond banking products by supporting PTPTN borrowers with practical solutions and knowledge that encourage disciplined savings, responsible repayment as well as long term wealth creation. By integrating flexible offerings such as our DURIAN-i account, we seek to make the journey toward financial independence more accessible, meaningful and rewarding.”

Mastura Mohd Khalid, Chief Operating Officer of PTPTN said, “This campaign is one of the best platforms to encourage more borrowers to carry out their responsibilities so that PTPTN loans can be continued for future generations. In addition, through this campaign, PTPTN borrowers who win cash prizes are also given additional financial support and indirectly help them repay their loans or make savings.” 

The collaboration represents a natural progression of CIMB’s long-standing commitment to financial inclusion by embedding financial discipline and literacy directly into a product proposition that aligns incentives, savings and responsible repayment behaviour within a single ecosystem. Through CIMB Foundation, the Bank has continued to advance financial literacy initiatives for both university students and working adults via programmes such as Be$mart and JagaDuit, which PTPTN borrowers will be able to access as part of this agreement. 

The collaboration also promotes smarter financial management among PTPTN borrowers through CIMB’s DURIAN-i account under the “Setel PTPTN dengan CIMB” Campaign. Borrowers can manage repayments digitally while earning reward points through eligible transactions, increasing their chances of settling PTPTN loans of up to RM25,000. Eligible participants may also stand a chance to win gold bars to kick-start their investment journey when they deposit their savings into the DURIAN-i account. To participate, borrowers may open DURIAN-i account online or at any CIMB branch and make consistent PTPTN loan repayment through the account.

Beyond the campaign, PTPTN will be able to leverage CIMB’s extensive network and comprehensive financial solutions to roll out structured financial literacy programmes, empowering borrowers with practical knowledge in money management, savings, and investments to support long-term financial sustainability.

DURIAN-i is CIMB Islamic’s award-winning sustainability-linked investment account, recognised by The Banker as the Most Innovative Islamic Savings Product in 2024. Under this structure, funds are strategically invested into the Bank’s sustainable assets, offering a unique Shariah-compliant option that aligns personal financial growth with broader sustainable development goals. 

For more information on the campaign, please visit www.cimb.com.my/ptptn. 

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 RM89.0 billion as at 31 December 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 576 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 December 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. 

About PTPTN 

The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) was established under the National Higher Education Fund Corporation Act 1997 (Act 566) which came into effect on 1 July 1997. PTPTN commenced operations on 1 November 1997 and is responsible to managing loans for higher education purposes and collecting loan repayments; providing savings schemes and managing deposits for higher education purposes as well as performing any other functions entrusted to PTPTN by any written law.

The National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) is a savings scheme or instrument created specifically by PTPTN for higher education purposes. Under Simpan SSPN, there are two products, namely Simpan SSPN Prime and Simpan SSPN Plus. 

​SOURCE: CIMB Group Holdings Berhad

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

–BERNAMA