Bank Rakyat bantu usahawan tembusi pasaran Arab Saudi, Jepun, China

Bank Rakyat, celebrating its 72nd anniversary, now operates 148 branches nationwide and has recorded a profit before tax and zakat amounting to RM1.9 billion. The bank has expanded its BizMatch initiative to Saudi Arabia, Japan, and China this year, aiming to assist local entrepreneurs in accessing the international network of businesses.

Through BizMatch: "Making Malaysian Businesses Great", Bank Rakyat customers will be connected with partners from the three target markets as part of efforts to open up more opportunities for local businesses. Ahmad Shahril Mohd Shariff, Executive Director of the Bank Rakyat Group, stated that the bank's growth is not only measured by financial performance but also includes contributing to business development.

He explained that the bank's success is also about expanding businesses, exploring technological innovations, and expanding business networks and channels. This development was shared as part of Bank Rakyat's 72nd anniversary, which currently has more than nine million customers and assets exceeding RM131 billion. Founded in 1954, the institution was initially established to expand access to financing for rural communities, particularly farmers and smallholders who faced difficulties obtaining financial services at the time.

Despite the continuous evolution of Bank Rakyat's products and services in line with technological advancements and customer needs, the bank's core role of expanding financial access remains unchanged. "Since 72 years, Bank Rakyat's financial products and services continue to evolve as technology progresses and customer needs and desires change," Shariff said.

Originally named Rakyat Bank in 1973, the bank expanded its membership to individuals before beginning to serve non-members, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in 1978. In 2003, the bank fully transitioned to a Sharia-compliant banking system following the introduction of the Ar-Rahnu mutual fund shortly before.

As of the end of 2025, Bank Rakyat has 148 branches across the country and has recorded a profit before tax and zakat of RM1.9 billion. This achievement allowed the bank to announce an 18% dividend, the highest in 10 years, amounting to RM534.7 million paid to over 783,000 members. Shariff emphasized that as a cooperative bank, profits should translate into benefits that can be shared among members, customers, and society.

"Profit is not the ultimate goal; rather, it is a catalyst to strengthen members, support customers, and open up more inclusive economic opportunities."