Kuala Lumpur, 7 April 2026 – CIMB Group is accelerating its push into wealth management, targeting to double its assets under management (AUM) as part of its long-term Forward30 strategy, positioning the segment as a key driver of future growth across ASEAN.
The move reflects a broader strategic shift among regional banks to deepen fee-based income streams and tap into rising wealth across Southeast Asia.
Wealth Management Becomes Core Growth Engine
Under its Forward30 roadmap, CIMB is placing significant emphasis on expanding its wealth franchise, recognising strong demand from:
- Affluent and high-net-worth individuals
- Mass affluent retail clients
- Regional cross-border investors
The bank aims to scale its wealth AUM significantly by 2030, leveraging its integrated ASEAN platform and expanding client engagement across markets.
This aligns with CIMB’s broader ambition to strengthen non-interest income contribution, reducing reliance on traditional lending.
Riding ASEAN’s Rising Wealth Wave
CIMB’s strategy is anchored on the structural growth of wealth in the region.
ASEAN continues to see:
- Rapid expansion of affluent populations
- Increasing financial sophistication
- Growing demand for investment diversification
By leveraging its regional footprint, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, CIMB is positioning itself to capture cross-border wealth flows and deepen client relationships.
Forward30 Strategy: A Multi-Lever Growth Plan
The wealth push forms part of CIMB’s broader Forward30 strategy, a six-year roadmap focused on four key pillars:
- Capital – Optimising allocation for higher returns
- Cash – Strengthening deposit franchise
- Cross-sell – Deepening customer engagement
- Capabilities – Enhancing digital and technology platforms
This integrated approach is designed to unlock new income streams and improve operational efficiency across the group.
Digital and AI to Drive Wealth Expansion
Technology is central to CIMB’s wealth ambitions.
The bank is investing heavily in:
- Digital advisory platforms
- Data analytics and AI-driven insights
- Personalised wealth solutions
These tools are expected to enhance client experience, improve portfolio management, and enable scalable growth across multiple markets.
Forward30 places strong emphasis on digital transformation and AI adoption as core enablers of future growth.
Shifting Toward Fee-Based Income
The expansion of wealth management also reflects a broader industry trend.
Banks across Asia are increasingly pivoting toward:
- Fee-based businesses
- Advisory services
- Investment products
This shift is critical in an environment where:
- Net interest margins are under pressure
- Interest rate cycles are becoming more volatile
Wealth management provides more stable and recurring income streams compared to traditional lending.
Competitive Landscape Intensifies
CIMB’s ambitions come amid rising competition from:
- Regional banks expanding wealth platforms
- Global private banks targeting ASEAN clients
- Digital wealth platforms offering low-cost solutions
To compete effectively, CIMB is focusing on:
- Integrated banking and wealth solutions
- Strong regional connectivity
- Personalised client engagement
Investor Takeaway: Wealth Is the Next Banking Battleground
For investors, CIMB’s strategy highlights a key structural shift in the banking sector:
Wealth management is emerging as a primary growth engine.
Key implications include:
- Higher valuation potential from fee-based income
- Increased focus on client lifecycle monetisation
- Stronger cross-border revenue opportunities
As ASEAN’s wealth pool continues to expand, banks with strong regional platforms and digital capabilities are likely to capture outsized growth.
CIMB’s push to double its wealth AUM signals a clear direction, the future of banking in Asia is not just about lending, but about managing wealth at scale.
