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KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has launched the CIMB OCTO Biz app, a new digital banking platform designed specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), alongside the introduction of a revenue-based financing solution, SME FlexiCash/-i. From left: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd co-CEO of group commercial and transaction banking Ahmad Shazli Kamarulzaman, group CEO and ED Novan Amirudin, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, CIMB group chairman Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, and co-CEO of group commercial and transaction banking Lawrence Loh. The twin launches, announced at the ASEAN SME Economic Conference on Thursday, mark a major milestone in CIMB’s push to enhance digital banking accessibility and provide more flexible financing options for growing businesses. According to CIMB, the OCTO Biz app integrates essential banking services with business management tools, offering SMEs a single digital hub for real-time cash flow monitoring, trade and foreign exchange (FX) services, and AI-powered financial insights. The app also supports cross-border transactions across ASEAN countries, enabling entrepreneurs to manage multi-market operations seamlessly. Additional features include digital cash flow tracking and access to up to 18 months of transaction history, compared to the standard 12 months available on conventional banking channels. CIMB group chief executive officer Novan Amirudin said the initiative underscores CIMB’s commitment to supporting business transformation and financial inclusion. “We see banking as a strategic enabler of growth and transformation. Our focus is to equip businesses and communities with the tools and insights to thrive in a dynamic economy,” he said. Meanwhile, the newly introduced SME FlexiCash/-i offers SMEs greater flexibility by linking loan repayments to a percentage of their monthly revenue, instead of fixed monthly instalments. Lawrence Loh, CIMB’s co-chief executive officer of group commercial and transaction banking, said the revenue-based approach would benefit SMEs with variable or seasonal income. “This gives customers flexibility compared to the traditional repayment model. It opens up access to financing for many micro and small businesses that might otherwise face challenges in securing credit,” he explained. Eligible businesses with at least six months of banking history with CIMB can access pre-qualified financing directly via the app, with options to customise loan amounts and tenures before confirming the offer. During the launch, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said such initiatives would empower local SMEs to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. “We need SMEs to elevate their processes so they can integrate more seamlessly into global supply chains and strengthen their market presence,” he said. CIMB revealed that more than half of its SME clients are already using OCTO Biz, with over seven million transactions worth RM17 billion recorded so far in 2025. The app’s full suite of features will be made available by the end of the year. As part of its “Kita Bagi Jadi” campaign, CIMB aims to make online account opening fully digital for sole proprietors and SMEs by late 2025, eliminating the need for in-branch visits. Following its rollout in Malaysia, CIMB plans to extend OCTO Biz to Indonesia and Singapore by mid-2026, before introducing it to other ASEAN markets. The launch was officiated by Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick, together with CIMB group chairman Datuk Syed Zaid Albar.

Foundation Healthcare, a Singapore-based medical group backed by Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd, is reportedly weighing plans for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at over US$1 billion (RM4.22 billion), according to people familiar with the discussions. Sources said the healthcare group has begun engaging potential financial advisers to explore the feasibility of a listing, which could take place as early as next year. The IPO could raise as much as US$300 million, though the final valuation, offering size, and timeline remain under review and subject to market conditions. The deliberations are still at an early stage, and details of the proposed offering could change, the sources added, requesting anonymity as the matter is private. Foundation Healthcare, established in 2023, focuses on expanding and operating integrated healthcare services across Asia, including specialty clinics, diagnostic centers, and advanced medical facilities. The company was launched with an initial US$150 million investment from SeaTown Holdings Pte Ltd, an investment firm affiliated with Temasek Holdings. The funding was aimed at accelerating its regional growth through acquisitions and partnerships in key healthcare markets. Both Foundation Healthcare and SeaTown Holdings have declined to comment on the IPO plans. If the listing proceeds, it would mark one of Singapore’s largest healthcare-related IPOs in recent years and reinforce the city-state’s position as a growing hub for healthcare and life sciences investments in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s equity market has seen renewed momentum in 2025. According to Bloomberg data, the country has hosted seven IPOs so far this year, raising around US$1.5 billion, the highest total in at least five years. This represents a sharp rebound from 2024, when only one company went public, raising just US$19.5 million. Analysts said the potential IPO of Foundation Healthcare reflects investor confidence in the region’s healthcare sector, which continues to benefit from rising demand for quality medical services, aging populations, and technological innovation in healthcare delivery. If successful, the listing could also pave the way for other healthcare startups and private groups in Singapore to explore similar routes to access public capital markets.

PETALING JAYA, Sarawak-based tech solutions provider Insights Analytics Bhd plans to raise RM43.6 million from its upcoming ACE Market listing on Bursa Malaysia. From left: M&A Securities Sdn Bhd head of corporate finance Gary Ting, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Insights Analytics Bhd chairman Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Openg, Insights Analytics managing director Frank Wee, M&A Equity Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Bill Tan and Insights Analytics executive director Bong Joon Fook. In a statement, the company said RM22.2 million (50.9%) of the proceeds will go towards working capital for current and future projects, especially in smart water management and Sarawak’s smart city initiatives. Managing director Frank Wee said the funds will help strengthen liquidity and support business expansion. “Our water technology segment is set to benefit from growing demand for operational efficiency, reduced non-revenue water, and government-backed digitalisation in water resource management,” he said. The funds will cover costs for subcontractors, IoT devices, consumables, and the construction of a water treatment facility. Another RM9 million (20.7%) will go towards investments and acquisitions to expand its core business and enhance its technology capabilities, while RM4.4 million (10.1%) will fund the expansion of its Sarawak corporate office, including a mini data centre. As of Sept 8, the company’s unbilled order book stood at RM35.3 million, expected to be recognised over the next six years. For FY2025, Insights Analytics reported RM49.6 million in revenue and RM19 million in net profit, with strong margins of 59.8% gross and 38.2% net. The IPO comprises 121 million new shares and 27.5 million existing shares for sale, representing 27% of its enlarged share capital. At RM0.36 per share, Insights Analytics will have a market value of RM198 million upon listing on Oct 27. M&A Securities Sdn Bhd is the adviser, sponsor, underwriter, and placement agent for the IPO.

KUALA LUMPUR, MM Computer Systems Bhd, a Malaysian IT services provider, is preparing for a listing on the ACE Market to raise funds for procurement and business expansion. According to its draft prospectus, the company aims to pursue higher-value contracts and broaden its product and service offerings in line with evolving technology trends. These projects often require substantial upfront purchases of hardware and software, as well as significant working capital for tender compliance, technical mobilisation, and project initiation. Based in Kuala Lumpur, MM Computer provides computer infrastructure design, networking, cybersecurity solutions, maintenance, technical support, and hardware and software sales and leasing. Its clients include government-linked companies, corporates, and resellers. The company currently has 120 active contracts with total unrecognised revenue of RM76.55 million and reported a net profit of RM8.7 million on RM73.7 million revenue last year. Proceeds from the IPO, pricing of which is yet to be determined, will fund workforce expansion—including hiring a sales director and 10 technicians—staff training, repayment of bank borrowings, and listing expenses. Part of the funds will also come from the sale of existing shares by CEO Young Yoong Chang, executive director Lee Choon Weng, and head of business development Quah Soo Keat. Malacca Securities serves as principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter, and placement agent for the IPO, while SCS Global Advisory is the corporate finance advisor.

SINGAPORE, Malaysia’s MMC Port Holdings has postponed its planned initial public offering (IPO) to 2026 to include its full-year 2025 financial results, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The IPO, originally scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, was expected to raise over US$1.5 billion (RM6.3 billion), potentially becoming the largest Malaysian IPO since IHH Healthcare’s US$2.1 billion debut in 2012 and giving a boost to the domestic capital market. Sources said the company is reviewing the timing of the listing to provide more complete financial disclosures and reflect recent industry and operational developments. A revised timeline will be announced in due course. Despite the delay, investor interest in the offering remains strong, one source noted. MMC Port received regulatory approval for its listing in September. The IPO will involve an offer for sale of up to 4.3 billion existing shares—around 30% of its total 14.2 billion shares—by its sole shareholder, MMC Corp. No new shares will be issued, meaning the port company itself will not receive proceeds from the sale. MMC Corp, which was taken private in 2021 by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, will retain a 70% stake post-listing. As Malaysia’s largest port operator, MMC Port runs five ports along the Strait of Malacca, three cruise terminals, a solid product jetty terminal, and provides ship-to-ship transfer services. In 2024, the company reported a net profit of RM636.6 million on revenue of RM4.36 billion.