SME Bank Launches Second Flood Relief Mission to Support Affected Communities

Samuel Chua

18th December 2024 - 2 min read

SME Bank has reinforced its commitment to assisting flood victims by launching its second flood relief mission. This initiative follows the bank’s recent announcement of tailored financing solutions and relief measures aimed at supporting customers affected by the floods.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and aligned with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda, SME Bank has extended critical support to individuals and families impacted by the disaster. This includes providing food baskets, essential items, and cash assistance to victims in Kedah and Kelantan, reflecting the bank’s dedication to uplifting communities in need and creating lasting societal impact.

Datuk Dr. Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim, Acting Group President and Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank, underscored the bank’s role as a development financial institution (DFI) committed to societal value creation.

“As one of the country’s leading DFIs, we are aware of the challenges faced by flood victims. Thus, we heed the government’s call for agencies and corporations to play a direct role in helping the rakyat navigate through this difficult situation.

Hardee also highlighted the involvement of SME Bank employees, who assisted in the preparation and distribution of food baskets in Kedah, and contributed to the restoration and cleaning of the affected schools in Kelantan.

Since 2022, SME Bank has implemented nearly 20 CSR initiatives, amounting to over RM3 million, with a focus on economic empowerment, community development, and environmental preservation. These efforts include the Flood Relief Aid for Students in Penampang, Sabah, and the ‘Satu Pemimpin Satu Kampung’ (Santuni Madani) programme, among others.

In addition to these initiatives, SME Bank continues to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through Bank Negara Malaysia’s Disaster Relief Facility (DRF). This facility offers financing of up to RM700,000 for SMEs and RM150,000 for micro-enterprises, with competitive rates of 3.5% per annum and a tenure of up to seven years.

For further information about SME Bank’s programmes and initiatives, visit www.smebank.com.my, SME Bank’s Facebook page, or contact the SME Bank Contact Centre at 603-26037700. Additionally, other banks have announced flood relief measures, with more details available here.

Samuel Chua

Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.

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