CIMB Bank Berhad and CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad have introduced an innovative branch at IOI City Towers in Putrajaya, featuring integrated sustainable features in a GBI-certified building. The branch embodies CIMB’s commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusivity, showcasing an ESG-first approach with a suite of sustainable banking solutions. This initiative aligns with CIMB’s broader goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 while enhancing accessibility and inclusivity across its branch network.
9 August 2023 – CIMB Bank Berhad and CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad have unveiled a pioneering branch at the IOI City Towers @ IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, designed with integrated sustainable features in a Green Building Index (GBI) certified building. This innovative branch showcases CIMB’s commitment to combining environmental and social inclusion considerations in its operations, marking a significant step towards reducing its environmental impact and promoting an inclusive banking environment.
Aligned with its sustainable finance agenda, CIMB will prioritize an ESG-first (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach to highlight its range of conventional and Islamic banking solutions at the branch. This includes offerings such as green home financing, electric vehicle (EV) financing, solar financing, ESG wealth products, B40 financing, and environmentally-focused deposits. As the first bank in Malaysia to offer a complete suite of sustainable finance solutions, CIMB aims to facilitate customers’ adoption of sustainable practices in a convenient and rewarding manner.
The CIMB IOI City Mall branch is equipped with tailored facilities to enhance inclusivity. Notably, it introduces a priority ATM lane with improved accessibility for customers with special needs, a pioneering feature across the Bank’s Malaysian branch network. Wheelchair services and designated low counters for over-the-counter transactions are also provided to ensure an inclusive banking experience.
The branch’s sustainable features align with CIMB’s environmental commitments and aim to reduce energy consumption and emissions. These features encompass energy-efficient cooling and lighting systems, the utilization of certified sustainable construction materials with recycled content, and the integration of reused office furniture.
CIMB is committed to extending the integration of sustainable features throughout its branch network, as part of its broader ambition to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2030. The bank will focus on designing new branches with minimal environmental impact and emissions, while also enhancing existing branches through the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and an increased adoption of renewable energy.
Effendy Shahul Hamid, Chief Executive Officer of Group Consumer and Digital Banking at CIMB Group, emphasized the significance of the branch’s innovative approach, underlining the bank’s dedication to social inclusion and environmental responsibility. He highlighted CIMB’s efforts to provide seamless access to financial services for all, including persons with special needs, through digitalization and enhanced accessibility features across its branch network.
The energy efficiency enhancements at the branch complement CIMB’s broader environmental initiatives. The bank has set a target to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2030, primarily addressing Scope 1 direct greenhouse gas emissions and Scope 2 emissions from electricity consumption. In line with this objective, CIMB has already achieved a 16% reduction in GHG emissions in its Malaysian branch network between 2019 and 2022, with plans to double this reduction over the next two years.
In addition to its environmental endeavors, CIMB aims to enhance financial inclusion by improving banking accessibility. This includes commitments to ensure wheelchairs are available in all branches across Malaysia by 2023 and to increase the number of branches with wheelchair ramp access by 2024.