[Bank Negara Malaysia] Measures to Assist Individuals, SMEs and Corporates Affected by COVID-19

Bank Negara Malaysia (the Bank) on 25 March 2020 had announce a number of regulatory and supervisory measures in support of efforts by banking institutions to assist individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporations to manage the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Deferment and Restructuring of Loans/Financing Facilities

1. Loans/financing to individuals and SMEs

To ease the cash flow of individuals and SMEs that are likely to be the most affected by Covid-19, banking institutions will offer a deferment of all loan/financing repayments for a period of 6 months, with effect from 1 April 2020. This offer is applicable to performing loans, denominated in Malaysian Ringgit, that have not been in arrears for more than 90 days as at 1 April 2020. For credit card facilities, banking institutions will offer to convert the outstanding balances into a 3-year term loan with reduced interest rates to help borrowers better manage their debt.

It is important to note that the interest/profit will continue to accrue on loan/financing repayments that are deferred and borrowers will need to honour the deferred repayments in the future. Borrowers should therefore ensure that they understand and discuss with their banking institutions on the options available to resume their scheduled repayments after the deferment period.

Individuals and SMEs that do not wish or need to avail of these flexibilities can continue with their current repayment structures.

2. Loans/financing to corporations

Banking institutions will also facilitate requests by corporations to defer or restructure their loans/financing repayments in a way that will enable viable corporations to preserve jobs and swiftly resume economic activities when conditions improve. Corporations should approach their banking institutions to discuss their repayment plans and the restructuring of credit facilities.

The Bank has provided appropriate time-bound flexibilities for banking institutions to report deferred/restructured facilities in the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS), taking into account the temporary nature of disruptions faced by borrowers/customers.

Click here to view the Frequently Asked Questions.

For more information, please visit www.bnm.gov.my