- Business
- Public Bank Berhad (PBLOF) is a Kuala Lumpur-based financial institution founded in 1966 that provides a comprehensive range of banking and financial services primarily focused on retail and commercial customers in Malaysia and select Asia-Pacific markets. The bank offers personal banking products including deposits, residential mortgages, personal loans and credit cards; commercial banking solutions such as SME financing, corporate lending and hire purchase financing; Islamic banking through Public Islamic Bank; investment banking, share broking and unit trust management via Public Mutual Berhad; trustee and nominee services; as well as bancassurance, general insurance through Lonpac Insurance Bhd and family takaful products. It maintains market-leading positions in key domestic segments like residential property financing (20.1% share), hire purchase (32.5% share), commercial property financing (32.0% share) and private unit trusts (33.9% share), while leveraging digital platforms such as the MyPB app and PB Enterprise for enhanced customer access. The group operates over 260 branches in Malaysia, with international subsidiaries including Public Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (79 branches), Cambodian Public Bank Plc (30 branches), Public Bank Vietnam Limited (12 branches), Public Bank Lao Ltd (4 branches), branches in China and Sri Lanka, serving more than 9 million customers across these regions. Recent developments include the completion of a RM1.72 billion acquisition of a 44.15% controlling stake in LPI Capital Bhd in December 2024 to expand general insurance offerings and enable cross-selling synergies with its 3,000-agent network; the establishment of Public Bank Securities Vietnam Company Limited to introduce securities trading services; conversion of Laos operations into a wholly-owned subsidiary as Public Bank Lao Ltd in January 2024; launch of innovative products like the PB Scholar Debit Card in March 2025 with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Halal Engage Program offering RM1.0 billion in Shariah-compliant financing for halal SMEs in March 2025; and sustained loan growth targeting 5-6% amid strong SME approvals up 41% year-on-year in 2024, alongside a 9.6% revenue increase to RM22.08 billion for the nine months ended September 2025.