The recent floods in Sabah and Sarawak have left many communities grappling with significant losses, displacing families and disrupting livelihoods. As affected individuals and businesses begin the difficult process of recovery, financial institutions have stepped forward to offer immediate relief measures.

Here are some of the immediate relief initiatives being offered by banks to support those impacted by the disaster:

Affin Bank

In response to the devastating floods that have impacted communities across the country, AFFIN is offering the AFFIN Natural Disaster Relief Programme (NDRP) to provide immediate financial assistance to individuals, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and corporate clients affected by the disaster.

Through this initiative, eligible customers may apply for a moratorium of up to six months, subject to terms and conditions, to help ease their financial burdens during this challenging period. The programme aims to offer crucial relief to those struggling with financial commitments as they work towards recovery.

Affected customers are encouraged to seek assistance from AFFIN. Individuals may contact the AFFIN Contact Centre at 03-8230 2222 or visit any AFFIN branch to check their eligibility and apply for the NDRP. Meanwhile, SME and corporate clients are advised to get in touch with their Relationship Managers for tailored support and guidance. For further information on the AFFIN Natural Disaster Relief Programme, customers can visit here. 

(Source: Affin Bank)

Alliance Bank

For Alliance Bank, it is also offering a Flood Relief Assistance Programme to help customers manage financial commitments during this challenging period. This includes a loan moratorium of up to six months, loan repayment modifications, and waivers of fees and charges for affected individuals and businesses.

Additionally, the bank has extended its Flood Relief Fundraising Campaign through Alliance Islamic Bank’s SocioBiz crowdfunding platform, matching every RM1 donated with RM2 to maximise contributions for flood victims. The campaign, which runs until 28th February 2025, will support relief efforts coordinated by the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA).

Customers can contact Customer Service at 03-5516 9988 or their relationship managers for more details. To contribute to the Flood Relief Fundraising Campaign, visit here. 

(Source: Alliance Bank) 

Ambank

AmBank Group has launched a Flood Relief Programme to assist eligible customers in Sabah and Sarawak, where the floods have caused significant property damage and road closures. The programme offers repayment assistance of up to six months for all financing facilities, aiming to ease the financial burden faced by affected individuals and businesses.

Under this initiative, eligible customers can apply for a moratorium of up to six months on monthly financing payments. Additionally, incidental and replacement charges for passbooks, cheque books, ATM cards, and credit and debit cards will be waived.

Customers can apply and find more details here. They are encouraged to use the AmOnline app or website for banking needs. For further assistance, they may contact the AmBank Contact Centre at 03-2178 8888, operating from 7 AM to 11 PM daily, or visit AmBank branches once conditions improve.

(Source: Ambank)

Bank Islam

Under Bank Islam’s Prihatin Programme, affected house, personal, and vehicle financing customers can apply for a deferment of up to six months on their monthly instalments, subject to specific terms and conditions. Additionally, Bank Islam is offering a Disaster Relief Facility financing programme for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in flood-affected districts identified by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

You can contact the bank’s call centre at 03-26 900 900 for more information, or send your questions to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can also visit the nearest bank branch, or visit Bank Islam’s website.

(Source: Bank Islam)

Bank Muamalat

Bank Muamalat is also extending special flood assistance to customers impacted by the disaster. The initiative includes a moratorium of up to six months on individual and business financing, as well as free replacements for lost or damaged debit and credit cards.

Customers facing financial difficulties can apply for assistance by downloading the service request form from http://www.muamalat.com.my and submitting it via email to [email protected]. For further financial advice, customers can visit their nearest Bank Muamalat branch or contact the Customer Service Centre at (03) 2600 5500.

(Source: Bank Muamalat)

Bank Simpanan Nasional

BSN, too, has drawn up a flood relief programme to provide loan and financing repayment assistance, but did not share much details on its announcement page. Instead, it noted that customers should call the BSN contact centre at 1-300-88-1900 for more information, or email their enquiries to [email protected]. However, charges for replacement of damaged or lost BSN Credit Cards and Debit Cards due to flood disaster will also be waived.

(Source: BSN)

Hong Leong Bank

Under Hong Leong Bank and Hong Leong Islamic Bank’s programme, eligible customers can apply for a payment deferment of up to six months on loan and financing facilities, including credit cards. Additionally, the bank is waiving fees for the replacement of lost or damaged debit and credit cards, cheques, and bank statements.

For SME and micro-enterprise customers, additional financing will also be made available for those needing working capital to facilitate business recovery. To apply, customers are required to provide their account holder name, IC number, account number, contact number, email address, the address of the flood-affected location, and a photo of their flood situation.

Requests for assistance can be made via phone (03-7959 1888), email ([email protected]), or by visiting the nearest HLB/HLISB branch. SME and corporate customers are encouraged to contact their Relationship Managers for further assistance.

(Source: Hong Leong Bank)

Maybank

Maybank has activated its Flood Relief Assistance programme which includes loan repayment deferments, instalment reductions, tenure extensions, and waivers on replacement fees for debit cards, ATM cards, and cheque books.

Affected customers can apply by emailing [email protected] with their details or by visiting a Maybank branch, Commercial Banking Centre, or Auto Finance Centre. SME customers should contact their relationship managers for assistance. More details are available at www.maybank2u.com.my or by calling 1-300-88-6688.

Additionally, Etiqa, Maybank Group’s insurance arm, has introduced a simplified claims process, allowing policyholders to submit claims via WhatsApp or call Etiqa’s Flood Claims Careline for immediate assistance.

(Source: Maybank)

Public Bank

For Public Bank, it is also extending repayment relief to customers affected by the floods in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as other disaster areas designated by Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara. The initiative includes a deferment of monthly instalments for up to six months for individuals and SMEs with house financing, hire purchase, and credit card facilities. Additionally, customers who have lost or damaged their banking documents due to the floods can request free replacements for bank cards, passbooks, and fixed deposit receipts.

To further assist flood victims, Public Bank has partnered with Lonpac Insurance Bhd to expedite insurance claims processing for customers covered under Lonpac policies. The bank is also participating in Bank Negara Malaysia’s Disaster Relief Facility, which provides funding to businesses for the repair or replacement of assets damaged by floods, including machinery and working capital needs.

Customers seeking assistance can visit any Public Bank branch or contact the bank’s general line at 03-2170 8000. Those with insurance claims can reach out to Lonpac Insurance at 03-2262 8688.

(Source: Public Bank)

RHB Bank

For RHB Bank, it is also offering a Flood Relief Assistance Programme to support individual and SME customers impacted by the floods. The programme includes a deferment of instalments for up to six months for mortgage loans, ASB loans, hire purchase, personal loans, and term financing facilities​.

Additionally, RHB is offering a waiver of late payment charges and interest/actual management fees of up to RM500 for credit card holders for a period of up to six months. Customers who have lost or damaged their ATM, debit, or credit cards due to the floods will also be eligible for free replacements​.

SME customers may apply for a deferment of instalment payments of up to six months on hire purchase, term loans, and trade facilities. RHB is also providing flood relief financing facilities for new and existing SME customers, offering financing of up to RM700,000 for a tenure of seven years at a preferential rate​. 

Affected customers must submit their applications by 28 February 2025. Those seeking assistance can visit their nearest RHB branch or Auto Finance Sales Centre, or contact the Customer Contact Centre at 03-9206 8118. SME customers are advised to reach out to their relationship managers for further assistance​. 

(Source: RHB Bank)

Standard Chartered Bank

For Standard Chartered, it is also offering a Flood Relief Assistance Programme to support customers affected by the floods. Eligible clients can opt for a temporary deferment or suspension of loan and financing payment obligations for a period of either three or six months. During this time, interest or profit will continue to accrue on the deferred payments and will be capitalised into the principal amount after the deferment period ends.

Additionally, affected customers have the option to pay only the interest portion of their monthly instalments for six months, allowing them to better manage their financial commitments during this difficult period.

Clients seeking assistance can contact Standard Chartered Malaysia’s Client Care Centre at 1300 888 888 (within Malaysia) or +603 7711 8888 (outside Malaysia) for further support and guidance.

(Source: Bernama)

OCBC Bank

OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd and its Islamic banking subsidiary, OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd, are offering a Flood Relief Assistance Programme to help affected customers manage their repayments and ease financial constraints during this difficult time. 

It stated that all requests will be prioritised and assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best possible solution for each customer. OCBC Bank (Malaysia) CEO Tan Chor Sen reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting customers impacted by the floods, encouraging them to remain positive despite the challenges.

Affected individuals can seek assistance by visiting OCBC branches or calling the dedicated consumer hotline at (03) 8317 5011. SME and microenterprise customers may contact (03) 8317 5200 for further support.

(Source: Bernama)

*****

As floods continue to affect communities across Malaysia, these financial assistance programmes demonstrate the collective commitment of banks to support individuals, businesses, and entrepreneurs during times of crisis. Affected customers are encouraged to reach out to their respective banks for detailed information on eligibility and assistance options.

This article will be updated as more banks announce their flood relief measures.

• TAGS:
• Affin Bank
• Alliance Bank
• AmBank
• Bank Islam
• Bank Muamalat
• Bank Simpanan Nasional
• Floods
• Hong Leong Bank
• Longform
• Maybank
• OCBC Bank
• Public Bank
• RHB Bank
• Sabah
• Sarawak
• Standard Chartered Bank