KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank Bhd has been upgraded from ‘A’ to ‘AA’ in the latest Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings, following major strides in corporate governance and sustainability practices.
According to MSCI’s report, the improved rating was driven by enhanced board oversight, greater transparency, and strengthened accountability measures – all aligned with global best practices.
The bank also outperformed its industry peers in several key areas, including consumer financial protection, data privacy, whistleblower policy, and cybersecurity risk mitigation.
Its approach to product transparency, business ethics, and oversight was rated as either superior or on par with global standards.
Affin’s President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah, said the recognition marks a key milestone in the bank’s ESG journey.
“This reflects the tangible progress we have made in embedding sustainability into our operations, culture, and governance.
“Sustainability is more than compliance – it is a core driver of long-term value creation for our stakeholders,” he said.
Affin noted that its ESG-focused strategy includes the rollout of purpose-driven products such as green financing, ethical
investment solutions, and inclusive digital services aimed at promoting financial well-being and environmental stewardship.
Recent initiatives under its SME banking portfolio also target climate-conscious borrowers, social enterprises, and underserved communities – delivering both commercial returns and broader societal value. – BERNAMA
