CIMB Group vs Maybank
Maybank holds the stronger position because no customer loss shows up in its evidence, while CIMB is already losing retail deposit customers to app only digital banks.
CIMB Group
Malaysia's #2 bank by assets, spanning retail, wealth, and ASEAN commercial banking
Dimension by dimension
| Dimension | CIMB Group | Maybank |
|---|---|---|
| Staying power of the core product | CIMB is also rated hard to displace, as Malaysia's number 2 bank by assets across retail, wealth, and ASEAN commercial banking. | Maybank is rated hard to displace, anchored by branches across all 10 ASEAN countries. |
| Exposure to AI | AI is unlikely to absorb CIMB's core banking product either. | AI is unlikely to absorb Maybank's core banking product. |
| How easily a giant copies them | CIMB's position is blocked against copying by a giant as well. | Maybank's position is blocked against copying by a giant. |
| Pressure from rivals | CIMB is facing pressure from licensed digital banks like GX Bank and Boost Bank, which are pulling retail deposit and savings customers with higher rates and app-only convenience. | No meaningful customer loss shows up for Maybank in the evidence. |
| Full year profit growth | CIMB posted FY25 net profit of RM7.9 billion, a smaller total with no year on year growth figure given. | Maybank posted FY2025 group net profit of RM10.51 billion, up 4.2% year on year, following RM10.08 billion in FY2024. |
| Capital and return strength | CIMB reports an FY25 return on equity of 11.3% and a CET1 capital ratio of 14.3%. | No return on equity or capital ratio figure is given for Maybank in this evidence. |
| Recent quarter momentum | No quarterly figure is given for CIMB to compare against this dip. | Maybank's most recent reported quarter, Q1 FY2026, showed net profit down 4.2% year on year to RM2.48 billion. |
Questions people ask
- Maybank vs CIMB, which one is better positioned for the AI era?
- Both Maybank and CIMB are rated hard to displace with AI unlikely to absorb their core banking products. The difference is customer pressure: Maybank shows no meaningful customer loss, while CIMB is losing retail deposit customers to digital banks like GX Bank and Boost Bank.
- Is CIMB losing customers to digital banks?
- Yes, CIMB faces pressure from licensed digital banks such as GX Bank and Boost Bank, which are pulling away retail deposit and savings customers using higher rates and app-only convenience. Maybank does not show this same pressure in the evidence available.
- Which bank made more profit, Maybank or CIMB?
- Maybank reported FY2025 group net profit of RM10.51 billion, up 4.2% from RM10.08 billion in FY2024. CIMB reported FY25 net profit of RM7.9 billion, a smaller figure with no growth rate provided.
- Does Maybank or CIMB have a stronger capital position?
- CIMB discloses a CET1 capital ratio of 14.3% and a return on equity of 11.3% for FY25. No comparable capital ratio or return on equity figure is given for Maybank in this evidence, so a direct comparison on this point cannot be made.
- Can AI replace what Maybank or CIMB do?
- Neither bank is seen as likely to be absorbed by AI. Both are marked unlikely for AI absorption and blocked against being copied by a giant, reflecting their scale and reach across ASEAN banking.
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