Set up in 1960 and listed on Bursa Malaysia in 1974, Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) is Malaysia’s largest financial services group, with a presence across key ASEAN markets. The bank had a strong 2024, delivering solid fundamentals and attractive shareholder returns. However, some shareholders expressed concern about the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on Maybank. Here are 10 things I learned from the 2025 Maybank AGM.

1. Net operating income increased 8.1% year-on-year to a record high of RM29.6 billion in 2024, primarily driven by the 22.6% increase in non-interest (fee) income.Maybank’s underlying profitability reached a new high, surpassing RM10 billion in net profit in 2024. This achievement absorbed a 5.5% impact from adverse foreign exchange rate fluctuations, in addition to typical operational expenses like overhead costs. Its return on equity (ROE) has returned to its pre-pandemic levels of around 11.1%.

To date, Maybank received more than RM2.4 billion worth of dividends from MCB Bank and RM303.7 million from An Binh Bank....