โ Rates verified from bank sources ยท May 2026
Best SME business loan rate in Malaysia 2026: SME Bank at 3.50% p.a. (government-linked, up to RM 5M, 1-year minimum operation). Best major commercial bank: Maybank BizFinancing from 4.50% p.a. (min. 2 years operating). All business loan rates are reducing balance โ the rate shown is the true annual cost.
Best Govt-Linked
3.50% p.a.
SME Bank
Best Commercial Bank
4.50% p.a.
Maybank BizFinancing
Micro Business
4.00% p.a.
TEKUN Nasional
๐ข Business Loan Rates โ Malaysia 2026
Indicative rates for SME term financing. Actual rates depend on collateral, credit profile, and SJPP guarantee status. Source: bank websites, May 2026.
| Bank / Institution | Product | Rate (p.a.) | Max Loan | Min. Operating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SME Bank | SME Financing Programmes | 3.50%LOWEST | RM 5,000,000 | 1 year |
| TEKUN Nasional | Pinjaman TEKUN | 4.00% | RM 200,000 | 1 year |
| Maybank | BizFinancing / BizPremier | 4.50% | RM 3,000,000 | 2 years |
| RHB Bank | SME Biz Financing | 4.80% | RM 3,000,000 | 2 years |
| CIMB Bank | BizLoan / SME Term Loan | 5.00% | RM 2,000,000 | 2 years |
| AmBank | SME BizLoan | 5.50% | RM 2,000,000 | 2 years |
| HSBC Malaysia | Business Instalment Loan | 5.50% | RM 2,000,000 | 2 years |
| Public Bank | SME Biz Loan | 5.75% | RM 3,000,000 | 2 years |
All rates are reducing balance. Rates are indicative โ actual rate depends on collateral, business credit profile, loan amount, and SJPP guarantee. Government-backed financing (SJPP, DanaTekad) may offer below-market rates.
What You Need to Know
SJPP guarantee: Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP) covers up to 70% of a business loan โ enabling SMEs with limited collateral to qualify for commercial bank financing. If you lack property collateral, apply with SJPP backing to access better rates from major banks.
Government-linked vs commercial banks: SME Bank and TEKUN Nasional offer the lowest rates, but have specific eligibility criteria and longer processing times. Major commercial banks (Maybank, CIMB, RHB) are faster and more accessible, but require at least 2 years of operating history and will price based on your business financials.
Approval basics: Commercial banks typically require: 2 years of audited accounts, 6 months business bank statements, SSM registration, and either property collateral or an SJPP guarantee. Secured loans (with property or equipment as collateral) typically receive 1โ2% lower rates than unsecured loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
For government-linked financing: SME Bank at 3.50% p.a. (up to RM 5M, 1-year minimum operation) and TEKUN Nasional at 4.00% p.a. (micro-businesses up to RM 200,000). For major commercial banks, Maybank BizFinancing from 4.50% p.a. is the most competitive, requiring at least 2 years of operating history.
Apply with an SJPP (Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan) guarantee. SJPP covers up to 70% of the loan, reducing the bank’s risk and enabling approval without full property collateral. SJPP-backed loans are available from most major commercial banks. TEKUN Nasional is also accessible for micro-businesses with limited assets.
Most major commercial banks require minimum 2 years of operating history and audited accounts. SME Bank and TEKUN Nasional accept businesses with as little as 1 year of operation. New businesses (under 1 year) may qualify for micro-financing through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia or specific BNM-backed startup programs.
Standard requirements: SSM registration, IC of directors/owners, 2 years audited accounts or management accounts, 6 months business bank statements, business plan (for larger amounts), property documents (if using as collateral). SJPP applications require an additional SJPP application form. Government-linked institutions may have different or simplified requirements.
Yes. TEKUN Nasional, PUNB (Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional), and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia offer preferential rates and easier eligibility for eligible Bumiputera entrepreneurs. MARA also provides financing for Bumiputera businesses. These programs typically offer lower interest rates and more flexible collateral requirements than commercial banks.
A term loan disburses a lump sum repaid over a fixed tenure โ best for capital expenditure, equipment, or business expansion. An overdraft (OD) is a revolving credit line โ you draw and repay flexibly, paying interest only on the amount used. OD rates are typically Base Lending Rate (BLR) + 1โ2% p.a. Use a term loan for predictable, large expenditures; use an OD for working capital and cash flow management.
Rates sourced from bank websites and LoanStreet.com.my, May 2026. Business loan rates are indicative โ actual rates depend on business credit profile, collateral, SJPP guarantee status, and the bank’s offer. rates.my is a comparison platform, not a financial adviser.