Initiatives of CIMB Islamic towards Maqasid and Sustainability Based Intermediation

This study examines CIMB Islamic’s initiatives in integrating Maqasid al-Shariah with Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) as part of its broader sustainability and ESG agenda. It explores the conceptual foundations of Maqasid and VBI and how they shape Islamic banking’s approach to responsible finance and ethical value creation.

The discussion highlights CIMB Islamic’s sustainability commitment and its strategic roadmap, which outlines key focus areas aimed at positioning the institution as a leading sustainability-driven bank in the ASEAN region. It also reviews the bank’s policies and operational alignment with major sustainability frameworks, particularly Bank Negara Malaysia’s Value-Based Intermediation and Investment Impact Assessment Framework (VBIAF), ensuring that business strategies are consistent with responsible banking principles.

Furthermore, the paper outlines CIMB Islamic’s initiatives in developing sustainable finance products and services, including EcoSave Savings Account-i and Sustainability-Linked Financing (SLF) for SMEs, which support environmentally and socially responsible economic activities. It also emphasizes the bank’s efforts in promoting financial inclusion through entrepreneurship development programmes such as CIMB Islamic–Taylor’s Entrepreneurship Programme, iTEKAD Rider Entrepreneurship Programme, CIE IIUM–CIMB Islamic Entrepreneurship Programme (iTAAJIR), and CIMB MicroBizReady.