SME Bank Appoints Samad Majid Zain as Chief Executive Officer
PETALING JAYA, July 2 — Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank) has appointed Samad Majid Zain as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1, as the development financial institution continues its efforts to strengthen support for Malaysia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Samad assumes the role after serving as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, during which he oversaw the bank’s leadership transition while maintaining its strategic direction and development agenda.
SME Bank, a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB), said Samad has been instrumental in reinforcing the organisation’s financial governance, operational resilience and long-term business strategy since joining the bank as Chief Financial Officer in November 2021.
In a statement, SME Bank chairman Zulkiflee Hashim said the board’s decision reflects its confidence in Samad’s leadership capabilities, extensive financial services experience and commitment to fulfilling the bank’s development mandate.
According to Zulkiflee, Samad has played a key role in strengthening the institution’s financial foundations while ensuring continuity during a significant leadership transition.
He added that the board believes Samad is well positioned to build upon the bank’s existing achievements and further expand its contribution towards the growth, resilience and competitiveness of Malaysian MSMEs.
As part of the BPMB Group, SME Bank remains focused on providing development financing and advisory support to businesses while advancing national economic priorities.
Before joining SME Bank, Samad served as Group Chief Operating Officer at a locally based investment bank backed by a banking institution.
He began his professional career in external assurance with one of the global Big Four audit firms before moving into management assurance at a Malaysian multinational conglomerate.
Samad brings more than 30 years of experience spanning finance, assurance, treasury, investment banking, corporate finance and operational leadership, including more than 19 years in senior executive positions within the financial services industry.
His professional credentials include recognition as a Chartered Banker by the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) and designation as a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA) by CPA Australia.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in Information Technology Management from Multimedia University.
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