Maybank wins on sealed effective spreads for collateralised term loans (from roughly 4.3% p.a.), while CIMB Biz edges out on disbursement speed and early-settlement flexibility — so the lower headline rate depends entirely on your collateral quality and repayment timeline.
Malaysia’s two biggest banking groups don’t publish a single “business loan rate” — they publish a spread above their own Base Rate. Maybank’s Base Rate (BR) sits at 3.05% p.a. and CIMB’s at 3.00% p.a. as of Q2 2024. Your final rate becomes BR plus a margin that moves with your CCRIS record, security offered, loan size, and tenure. This difference matters if you’re comparing a RM150,000 working-capital line versus a RM1.5 million factory-floor machine purchase in Shah Alam.
1. Maybank Business Loan Interest Math
Maybank’s SME business loan (also packaged as the “Entrepreneur’s Loan” for sole proprietors in KL) works on a reducing-balance calculation, not a flat rate. For a collateralised loan of RM100,000–RM1,000,000 secured by property or fixed deposits, the effective rate lands between BR + 1.25% and BR + 2.50% — around 4.30% to 5.55% p.a. after the current BR.
Unsecured term financing for F&B operators in Bangsar or retail in Bukit Bintang runs steeper: 5.50% to 7.50% p.a. Maybank adds a one-time processing fee of 0.75% to 1.50% of the approved sum, and prepayment is penalised at 1% of the outstanding balance if you settle within the first two years.
The bank asks for SSM registration older than 2 years, 6 months of current-account statements, and Form 9 or partnership documents. For a KL café with monthly revenue around RM30,000, Maybank typically approves RM100,000–RM200,000 within 7–14 working days.
2. CIMB Biz Interest Rates and Fees
CIMB’s Biz loan suite offers a lower Base Rate but a wider default margin. A secured CIMB Biz Loan for working capital or equipment purchase attracts BR + 1.80% to BR + 3.20% — structurally 4.80% to 6.20% p.a. — while unsecured trade-comfort loans go at 6.00% to 8.50% p.a.
CIMB compensates with flexibility. There is no prepayment penalty for loans settled after the first 12 months; settling within year one costs 1.5% of outstanding. Processing fees are comparable at 1.00% flat, and they cap stamp duties on RM500,000+ facilities more aggressively than Maybank.
Loan amounts under RM250,000 go through CIMB’s centralised SME processing unit in KL, which returns a decision in 3–5 working days if you submit both bank statements and a 12-month business cashflow projection in their online portal. That speed is why a hardware retailer in Puchong or a hardware franchise in Kepong may prefer CIMB even when Maybank quotes a lower headline rate.
3. Collateral, CCRIS, and Approval Times
Both banks read the same CCRIS 12-month repayment history, but they price risk differently. Maybank leans heavier on property valuation — a completed commercial lot in KL with 70% loan-to-value will push you toward the lower end of the margin. CIMB evaluates the same collateral at roughly 65%–75%, but weighs business bank-account turnover and supplier invoices more heavily than Maybank’s model.
Approval times diverge most for unsecured loans. Maybank’s KL branches route unsecured applications through Credit Evaluation, adding 2–3 days. CIMB’s Biz portal pre-screens and escrows the approved facility within the same week for amounts up to RM150,000.
For a tradeshow supplier with seasonal inventory, CIMB’s quick re-draw feature on a revolving facility matters more. For a factory owner in Petaling Jaya putting up factory land as security, Maybank’s lower lifetime spread saves more over eight years.
4. Verdict: Which Is Cheaper Actually
For a 3-year, RM200,000 term loan secured by a KLcondo unit:
– Maybank: Effective rate around 4.80% p.a. with 1% prepayment penalty within two years — total interest cost roughly RM15,140.
– CIMB: Effective rate around 5.20% p.a. with free early settlement after year one — total interest cost roughly RM16,430, but you save RM2,000+ if you refinance or settle early.
The literal “lowest interest rate” title goes to Maybank when you hold property collateral and plan to run the full tenure. CIMB is cheaper in effective cost when you settle early, re-draw monthly, or need the cash within five working days. For pure rate shopping with unsecured NCDs and no property, CIMB’s minimum 6.00% p.a. undercuts Maybank’s 6.50% p.a. floor.
| Loan Product | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Maybank SME Business Loan (secured) | BR + 1.25%–2.50%; 7–14 day approval; 1% prepayment penalty | Factory owners and property-backed borrowers holding the full tenure |
| Maybank SME Flexi Loan | Reducing-balance interest with partial pre-payment; 2-year lock-in | KL traders with seasonal cashflow who want low monitoring fees |
| CIMB Biz Loan (secured) | BR + 1.80%–3.20%; no prepayment penalty after year one | Medium-term equipment purchasers and refinancers |
| CIMB Biz Loan (unsecured) | BR + 3.00%–5.50%; 3–5 day approval for RM250k and below | F&B/retail operators with strong bank turnover but no property |
| BR basis (as of 2024) | Maybank BR 3.05%; CIMB BR 3.00% | Always request current BR tables to estimate live effective rates |
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