Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has launched RENTAS+, an upgraded version of Malaysia’s real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system that allows continuous interbank fund transfers and settlements throughout the day, every day of the year.

With this enhancement, RENTAS becomes the first RTGS system in ASEAN to operate on a full 24-hour basis.

Continuous Settlement For A Growing Payment Ecosystem

Developed in-house using modern cloud technology, RENTAS+ expands the system’s settlement window, enabling banks and financial institutions to manage credit and settlement risks more effectively.

The change supports Malaysia’s increasing volume of instant retail payments. Since 2024, daily retail payment transactions have grown by 49% in volume and 22% in value.

To facilitate round-the-clock settlement, BNM has also introduced an automatic liquidity facility that operates 24/7 through repurchase agreements (repo) and sell and buy back agreements (SBBA).

From Deferred To Real-Time Settlement

Previously, retail payments were settled twice daily on a deferred net basis, which meant that credit exposures between banks were only cleared at specific times. While efficient, this approach carried some settlement risk.

With RENTAS+, transactions are now settled individually and in real time. DuitNow payments, including fund transfers, QR transactions, and e-commerce payments, are transmitted to RENTAS+ for settlement immediately after completion via Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet).

Supporting Financial Market Resilience

BNM Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said the new system enhances the resilience of Malaysia’s financial market infrastructure while providing a flexible foundation for future innovation.

“RENTAS+ strengthens the resilience of Malaysia’s financial market infrastructure, while providing a secure, scalable, and flexible settlement platform for future innovations,” he said.

RENTAS In Malaysia’s Financial System

RENTAS, short for Real Time Electronic Transfer of Funds and Securities, was introduced in 1999. In 2024, the system settled transactions valued at RM73.63 trillion, equivalent to 45 times Malaysia’s GDP.

It also serves as the world’s largest sukuk depository, holding USD300 billion in sukuk, and ranks among the five largest bond depositories in Asia.

The RENTAS+ rollout forms part of BNM’s multi-year plan to modernise payment and settlement systems in Malaysia.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for the latest money tips and updates.

• TAGS:
• Bank Negara Malaysia
• DuitNow
• interbank fund transfers
• Rentas+
• settlements
• Transactions