HISTORY OF BANK PEMBANGUNAN
OUR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY, DELIVERING IMPACT CAPITAL
CELEBRATING OUR IMPACT JOURNEY
BUILDING THE NATION SINCE 1973
To Spur The Nation's Economic Growth
Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) was established by the Government to fill the gap and supplement various services provided by financial institutions within the domestic economy. To overcome the shortfall of transforming Bumiputeras into entrepreneurs, on 28 November 1973 the Government established Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad as a public limited company. 
It commenced business on 8 June 1974, and was officiated by the late Prime Minister YAB Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Dato' Hussein on 3 August 1974.
With an initial paid-up capital of RM1.5 million and 19 staff, Bank Pembangunan undertook the difficult task of accelerating entrepreneurial activity amongst the traditionally non-entrepreneurial communities. The Bank received and approved its first loan application from Haji Darus bin Haji Ibrahim – a sole proprietor whose loan was RM247,000 for a project in the quarry industry in Negeri Sembilan.
The Bank also secured the services of an experienced development banker, Mr. Hans Lesshafft as the Special Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and General Manager, who previously served another local institution having been seconded from West Germany under the Technical Cooperation Agreement with Malaysia.
Navigating National Development With A Single Purpose
The early years of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad's (BPMB) saw the Bank providing finance to key sectors including infrastructure development, manufacturing, and agriculture, as well as funding support to projects that contributed to the nation's industrialization and modernization efforts. The Bank's focus included long-term financing, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving economic development.
As the Malaysian economy progressed, Bank Pembangunan's mandate also evolved to encompass a broader range of initiatives. Today, the Bank's mandate includes a spectrum of capital-intensive industries and high-growth sectors including technology, maritime, infrastructure, and oil & gas; positioning the bank at the forefront of Malaysia's high-growth sectors. With a resolute commitment to impact and national development, Bank Pembangunan remains steadfast in its commitment to empower businesses, foster innovation, and drive national progress.
1973 - 1990
To promote the development of Bumiputera entrepreneurs participation in the industrial sector
1991 - 1998
To promote the development of Bumiputera entrepreneurs participation in the industrial and commercial sectors
1999 - 2004
Focus on development of Bumiputera enterpreneurs, Small Medium Industry (SMI) and infrastructure sector.
2005 - 2009
To provide medium to long-term finance to the capital intensive industry - high technology, maritime and infrastructure.
2010
To provide medium to long-term finance to the capital intensive industry - technology, maritime and infrastructure.
2011 - Present
Present: To provide medium to long-term finance to the capital intensive industry-technology, maritime, infrastructure and oil & gas.
3 Buildings, 1 Vision: Our Home Over the Years
The journey of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) can be represented by our growth via several office locations. BPMB began operations from the modest MOCCIS Building in Jalan Melaka, and then moved to the bigger headquarters in Jalan Sultan Ismail (the current SME Bank) to help fulfil a larger Government mandate in the late 1980s.
BPMB then shifted to our current headquarters, Menara Bank Pembangunan in Bandar Wawasan. This building was occupied by Bank Industri & Teknologi and thus holds a special connection to BPMB. Each location throughout our 50-year journey has played a vital and historic role in the growth of BPMB to what it is today.
Honouring Legacies: Remarkable Individuals at Bank Pembangunan
In its five-decade journey, BPMB has been guided by exceptional leaders who have steered the bank towards excellence and success. We pay tribute to the remarkable individuals who have served as Chairmen of the Bank throughout the decades, as we reflect on the rich history of the Bank.
Tun Syed Nasir Ismail
(1974 - 1980)
Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Samad Idris
(1981 - 1993)
Tan Sri Dato' Hj.A. Hamid Hj.A. Rahman
(1994 - 1996)
Datuk Ahmad Zabri Ibrahim
(1997 - 1998)
Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Aris Othman
(1999 - 2000)
Datuk Mohamed Adnan Ali
(2001 - 2003)
Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Hj. Zainul Ariff Hj. Hussain
(2004 - 2007)
Tan Sri Dr. Abdul Samad Hj Alias
(2009 - 2010)
Dato' Mohammed Hj. Che Hussein
(2011)
Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah
(2012 - 2017)
Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan
(2018 - 2021)
Tan Sri Nazir Razak
(2021 - 2023)
Logo Evolution
BPMB’s logo transformation is a reflection of the changing mandate and strategic direction of the bank throughout the years, always maintaining the word “Pembangunan” to highlight our core mission of national development. The evolving logos mirror our commitment to creating impact and driving holistic national development and are a visual legacy of our foundational purpose to serve the nation.
Shaping Pembangunan Through Impact-Driven Initiatives
Bank Pembangunan’s role has evolved from developing Bumiputera entrepreneurs to being the Government’s “go-to” partner in delivering impact capital for national development. Throughout this journey, the Bank has deployed various products and schemes aligned with its mandate at the time
1973 – 1989
Service / Function – Follow Up Department – 1975
Identifying a gap in the development landscape for knowledge on industrial ventures, BPMB formed the Follow Up Department. This department supervised projects we financed and provided advisory and technical assistance throughout the project’s life. This department is now known as the Technical Advisory Services and Monitoring team.
Scheme - Nursery Factory Scheme – 1983
To boost the participation of Bumiputera in the rapidly-developing industrialisation of our economy, the Bank launched the Nursery Factory Scheme, with an initial allocation of RM 4 million. The scheme was for BPMB to develop or acquire small factories in complexes, readily-equipped, and rent them out to individual entrepreneurs. The Bank’s support extended beyond financing, as BPMB officers were stationed in these complexes to provide guidance and consultancy to the entrepreneurs.
1990 – 2004
Scheme – Tourism Fund – 2002
In 2002, BPMB (then BPIMB) was entrusted by the Government to manage the RM 600 million Tourism Fund. Given BPMB’s mandate at the time - supporting both infrastructure and small-to-medium industries (SMIs) – the Tourism Fund was split; RM 200 million was to support tourism infrastructure, while RM 400 million was specifically for SMIs. The fund’s objectives were to promote the tourism industry, from providing the necessary infrastructure to empowering the SMIs providing goods and services across the tourism value chain.
Presently, we provide five distinct schemes for prospective companies to explore. For more information on these schemes, please click on BPMB Funds and Schemes.
Creating Lasting Impact: Driving Positive Change
With a firm belief in the power of responsible business practices, Bank Pembangunan actively participates in CSR activities that are closely aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bank Pembangunan CSR
Programmes
One of the Bank's signature CSR programmes is SEEDS (Supporting English Empowerment to Drive Sustainability). SEEDS focuses on improving English literacy among students while creating awareness about the environment and sustainability. Bank Pembangunan has also become a premium member of the PINTAR programme, adopting two schools under PINTAR's 'adopt a school' programme.
Impacting Lives via Zakat
Distributions
Among projects supported by the Bank through the zakat fund is the Back To School programme in which the Bank sponsors school bags, uniforms and stationeries for Asnaf students at the start of the school terms. Other projects include provision of clean water and medical equipment to rural areas, empowering entrepreneurs by sponsoring necessary financial and entrepreneurial skills, and development of new houses for those in need.
Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM)
Derived from the 12th Malaysia Plan, ALAM creates awareness, educates, and instills whistleblowing culture by collaborating with communities, public and private sectors. It also advocates policy for improved governance and bridges policymakers with stakeholders. The seven UN SDGs that ALAM focusses on including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 11: Sustainability Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG14: Life Below Water, SDG15: Life on Land, and lastly SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Building a Talent Hub: BPMB's
BAGUS Scholarship Program
Nurturing Talent since 1981, BPMB's scholarship programme has produced numerous talents throughout the years. The current programme, known as The BPMB Undergraduate Scholarship Award (BAGUS) is testament to Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad's (BPMB) commitment to the development of exceptional talent. BAGUS is more than just a financial aid program; it is a transformative experience designed to empower scholars with the tools, resources, and networks to thrive in their academic pursuits and future professional endeavours. By investing in these exceptional individuals, BPMB reaffirms its commitment as a talent hub, nurturing a new generation of leaders who possess the knowledge, skills, and character to drive Malaysia's socio-economic progress.
Celebrating Our Impact Journey
50 YEARS CELEBRATION: 50-YEAR LOGO MEANING
To evoke a sense of modern and minimalistic aesthetic that conveys stability and wisdom, we created the figure '50' in simple sans-serif font with a gradient blue colour, to commemorate 50 years of providing impact capital for national development.
The colours maroon, pink, green, yellow and orange represent the Bank’s aspiration to deliver environmental, social and economic impact that are aligned with the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We are aligned to the six SDGs below:
A Special Collaboration with Artjamila and Local Entreprenuers
ARTJAMILA
In conjunction with our 50th Anniversary, BPMB is proud to work with Artjamila, an iconic, award-winning autistic savant artist. She is a self-taught artist who discovered her artistic passion at the age of four as a means to communicate with the world. The collaboration underlines our commitment to inclusion and diversity which also draws focus on some of our Sustainable Development Goals particularly the following:
The artworks juxtapose Malaysia's famous landmarks with blooming hibiscuses, symbolising the need to strike a balance between development and sustainability. The painting also depicts diverse ethnicities surrounded by lush greenery in Putrajaya and historical buildings of Kuala Lumpur, serving as a powerful reminder of the collective spirit and togetherness of Malaysia's multicultural society, as we work towards transforming our cities and infrastructure into sustainable environments.
2023 - 2020
2022
- BPMB embarked on an exciting journey with its strategic roadmap, Agenda 2025. This comprehensive plan outlines BPMB's purpose and aspirations, positioning the bank as a trusted partner to our stakeholders, a catalyst for social and economic development, and a talent hub for dynamic nation builders.
2021
- We merged with Danajamin to bolster Malaysia's development finance ecosystem
- MIND was launched as a step towards impact-driven finance
2019 - 2010
2019
- We launched the Industry Digitalisation Transformation Fund, Sustainable Development Financing Fund and the Public Transport Fund. We revamped and launched the Tourism Infrastructure Fund 2.0 and the Maritime Fund 2.0
- Inception of Amanah Lestari Alam to create awareness about environmental sustainability
2011
- Expanded into the Oil & Gas sector
2009 - 2000
2008
- Demerger of BPMB and SME Bank
2007
- Received CMSA 2007 by the Securities Commision to perform corporate financing services in the infrastructure sector
2005
- BPMB & Bank Industri merged to realign DFI activities in Malaysia. Our mandate was revised to include Infrastructure, Maritime and High Technology
- Our name reverted to Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, with the introduction of a new logo.Bank Industri, a subsidiary of BPMB, was renamed SME Bank
2004
- A smart, dual-purpose solution SMART Tunnel
- Sharing hydration with seven million consumers (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd.)
2002
- We were listed as one of the six prescribed DFIs under the DFIA 2002, and we were also granted "Exempt Dealer Status" from MOF, allowing us to provide corporate advisory, corporate financing & underwriting services
- We launched the RM600 million Tourism Fund
2000
- We launched our RM5 billion 25-year Infrastructure Notes Programme
1999 - 1990
1999
- Our paid-up capital was increased to RM1 billion, and we changed our name to Bank Pembangunan dan Infrastruktur Malaysia Berhad.
1998
- Received a new mandate to finance infrastructure projects
1995
- EXIM Bank was under Bank Industri
1994
- BPMB-NIF Modal Teroka Sdn Bhd was incorporated as a venture capital company with external investors
1993
- Seed Capital Scheme established to assist Bumiputera entrepreneurs
1989 - 1980
1989
- We were the largest DFI in Malaysia with total assets of RM1.2 billion
1988
- Our cumulative loan approval surpassed RM1 billion and we grew into our new HQ in Jalan Sultan Ismail
1986
- BPMB started to welcome non-Bumiputera companies
1984
- Small Scale Enterprises Programme launched with a special fund allocation from the World Bank
- BPMB's Islamic Development Unit was formed. We were one of the two banks to offer Islamic financing.
1981
- Entrepreneur Development & Special Leasing Programmes launched o strengthen and expand assistance to Bumiputera entrepreneurs
1980
- BPMB's loan approvals exceeded RM100 million for the first time
1979 - 1973
1979
- Bank Kemajuan Perusahaan Malaysia Berhad was incorporated on 7 August 1979. It later changed its name to Bank Industri & Teknologi Malaysia Berhad in 2000 before assuming its present name, SME Bank
1977
- Pembangunan Leasing Corporation (PLC) Sdn. Bhd was incorporated to provide leasing facilities
1974
- BPMB received its first government loan, RM15 million cheque presented by Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak
1973
- Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad was established to develop Bumiputera enterpreneurs