Grab-backed digital bank GX Bank Berhad and the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) have on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership to deepen efforts in building a financially literate and resilient Malaysia.

This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in both organizations’ commitment to promoting financial literacy and inclusion, especially in view of recent local and global economic uncertainties, GXBank said in a statement.

“Financial resilience, literacy, and inclusion are fundamental building blocks for Malaysia’s economic prosperity,

“As a trailblazer in financial inclusion and digital banking innovation, we are deeply invested in seeing our communities thrive, which resonates with AKPK’s impact on millions of Malaysians through their education and debt management programs since 2006,” explained Kaushik Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer of GXBank.

“For us at GXBank, responsible lending means providing access to appropriate financial tools like our FlexiCredit for everyday Malaysians, and upcoming Business Banking solutions for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while also providing our customers with the necessary knowledge to nurture prudent financial health and behavior,” he added.

Meanwhile, Azaddin Ngah Tasir, Chief Executive Officer of AKPK, said financial literacy is the cornerstone of a prosperous Malaysia.

According to him, the collaboration with GXBank marks a significant step forward in making financial education and debt management support more accessible to Malaysians.

By combining AKPK’s long-standing expertise with the agility of digital banking, he said the agency can deliver guidance directly, in real time and on the platforms they use every day.

“This ensures that whether you are an individual navigating personal finances or an MSME striving for growth, you have the tools and trusted support needed to make responsible financial choices,

“Together, AKPK and GXBank are creating an ecosystem where financial resilience is not just a goal, but a reality for all communities,” he added.

According to the statement, the GXBank-AKPK partnership will focus on two key areas: developing purposeful financial education; integrating debt management support.

It will be creating and distributing targeted educational content for GXBank customers and gig workers through digital channels and on-ground events.

It will also be managing the collection and disbursement of loan repayments for GXBank’s retail and MSME customers who may be part of AKPK’s debt management program.

GXBank highlighted that this partnership arrives at a crucial time and is a direct response to a national challenge.

Cited the RMFLS 2024, it noted six out of ten Malaysians have up to a four-month emergency fund, leaving them still vulnerable to financial shocks. 

This reality underscores the vital role of proven interventions.

To date, AKPK has already counselled over 1.5 million people and helped nearly 480,000 manage their debt through its Debt Management Program (DMP).

By integrating AKPK’s impactful framework with GXBank’s mission for a resilient nation, the partnership tackles the issue head-on, said the statement.

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