Maybank vs CIMB vs Public Bank Malaysia 2026: Which Is Best for Everyday Banking?

This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

⚡ Quick Answer

For most Malaysians, Maybank wins on branch network and ATM coverage, CIMB leads on digital features and savings rates, while Public Bank dominates for fixed deposits and home loans. If you want genuinely high savings returns, pair any of these with a digital bank like RytBank or GXBank.

Maybank vs CIMB vs Public Bank: At a Glance

Feature	Maybank	CIMB	Public Bank
Base Savings Rate	0.25% p.a.	0.25% p.a.	0.10% p.a.
High-Yield Option	SaveUp up to 3.25%	Bonus Saver up to 4.0%	PB eBase up to 2.5%
ATM Network	Largest in Malaysia	Large	Large
Mobile App	MAE / M2U	CIMB Clicks	PBe / PB engage
Minimum Balance	RM0–RM1,000	RM0	RM0–RM250
Monthly Fee (below min)	RM2–RM5	RM10 (if below RM200)	RM5–RM8
Best For	All-round banking	Digital & youth	FD & home loans

Maybank: Malaysia’s Biggest Bank

Maybank is the largest bank in Malaysia by assets and the one most Malaysians grow up with. If you’ve ever opened a bank account in this country, there’s a good chance it was a Maybank account.

What Maybank does well: Its ATM and branch footprint is unmatched — over 2,200 ATMs and branches nationwide. The MAE app (Maybank’s e-wallet and digital banking interface) handles bill payments, QR payments, instant DuitNow transfers, and even unit trust purchases. For everyday Malaysians, MAE has become the all-in-one app for money management.

The standard Maybank Savings Account earns just 0.25% p.a. However, the Maybank SaveUp Account can reach up to 3.25% p.a. if you fulfil monthly criteria — spending on a Maybank debit card, making bill payments via Maybank, and maintaining loan or investment products. It’s a tiered reward system that benefits customers who consolidate their banking with Maybank.

Maybank also remains the go-to for Tabung Haji-linked deposits, ASB financing, and a wide insurance ecosystem. If you want a single bank to handle everything, Maybank is the natural choice.

What Maybank doesn’t do as well: The legacy M2U web platform can feel clunky compared to newer digital-first competitors. Unlocking the full SaveUp rate requires sustained behavioural habits. And for pure savings yield, you’ll find better rates at digital banks without the conditions.

CIMB: The Digital-Forward Challenger

CIMB has positioned itself as the most digitally progressive traditional bank in Malaysia. With a well-designed app, CIMB EVA (its AI-powered assistant), and consistently competitive savings rates, CIMB appeals strongly to younger, tech-savvy Malaysians.

What CIMB does well: The CIMB Bonus Saver account can deliver up to 4.0% p.a. — the highest rate of any conventional bank savings account in Malaysia. To unlock it, you need to credit your salary into the account, spend a minimum amount on a CIMB card, and pay at least one bill via CIMB each month. Hit all three, and you earn the maximum tier.

CIMB’s app — CIMB Clicks — is clean, fast, and well-maintained. The in-app Bonus Saver rate tracker shows exactly where you stand each month, which is genuinely useful. CIMB also has strong investment products via its partnership with Principal Asset Management.

What CIMB doesn’t do as well: CIMB’s branch network is smaller than Maybank’s. Customer service has historically drawn mixed reviews. And consistently hitting all the Bonus Saver criteria every month requires discipline — if you miss one criterion, your rate drops significantly.

Public Bank: The Quiet Workhorse

Public Bank is one of Malaysia’s most consistently profitable and well-managed banks. It doesn’t make as much noise as Maybank or CIMB, but it has an iron reputation among property buyers and conservative savers.

What Public Bank does well: Home loan and car loan processing is where Public Bank shines. Property agents and buyers consistently recommend Public Bank for its competitive mortgage rates and relatively smooth approval process. Their fixed deposit rates are regularly among the most competitive in the market, especially during their promotional FD campaigns.

The PB eBase account offers up to 2.5% p.a. with conditions. And Public Bank’s conservative management — with a net NPL (non-performing loan) ratio consistently below 0.5% — gives risk-averse customers genuine peace of mind.

What Public Bank doesn’t do as well: The digital experience lags behind. The PBe app is functional but dated. Public Bank’s base savings rate of 0.10% p.a. is the lowest of the three. And the bank’s digital banking push has been noticeably slower than its competitors.

Which Bank Offers the Best Savings Rate?

On paper, CIMB Bonus Saver wins at up to 4.0% p.a. — but only if you tick all monthly criteria. Maybank SaveUp follows at 3.25% p.a. Public Bank’s PB eBase trails at 2.5% p.a.

But if maximising savings return is your primary goal, you should supplement your conventional bank account with a dedicated high-yield option. RytBank currently offers up to 3.6% p.a. on deposits with no behavioural criteria — just park the money and earn. Sign up on Ryt Bank with referral code W4DFE to get started.

Similarly, GXBank offers competitive savings with zero lock-in. Download GX Bank & use code BENN226 — earn up to RM225 in rewards on sign-up.

Which Bank Has the Best Mobile App?

All three banks have functional apps in 2026, but they’re not equal in polish or features.

MAE (Maybank) has evolved into a comprehensive digital banking and e-wallet app. It handles QR Pay, DuitNow, bill payments, investments, and even Shopee/Lazada payments. The UI is modern and intuitive. The legacy M2U platform (web) is less impressive, but MAE itself is a strong product.

CIMB Clicks is clean and well-designed. It loads quickly, handles transfers smoothly, and the built-in Bonus Saver rate tracker adds real utility. CIMB tends to ship new features and improvements faster than its peers.

PBe (Public Bank) is functional but hasn’t kept pace with design trends. It can feel slow and dated. Public Bank’s newer PB engage app is an improvement, but it still trails Maybank and CIMB for overall user experience.

Winner on app experience: CIMB Clicks, narrowly ahead of MAE.

Who Should Use Each Bank?

Choose Maybank if: You want the largest ATM network, a reliable all-rounder, or you already have products with Maybank (ASB financing, Tabung Haji, insurance) and want to maximise the SaveUp rate. Also the safest default for first-time account holders.

Choose CIMB if: You’re comfortable with digital banking, credit your salary into the account monthly, and want to earn the highest savings rate from a conventional bank. Also good for CIMB Principal investment products and youth accounts.

Choose Public Bank if: You’re applying for a home or car loan, want consistent FD campaigns, or prefer a conservative institution with a rock-solid track record. Less compelling if app quality matters to you.

Our Recommendation

Most Malaysians don’t need to — and shouldn’t — restrict themselves to just one bank. Our practical take:

Use Maybank or CIMB as your primary transactional account (salary crediting, bill payments, everyday transfers). Both have strong apps and wide ATM coverage. Then park your savings in a high-yield digital bank like RytBank or GXBank, where the rates are better and the criteria simpler. If you’re planning a home loan, include Public Bank in your shortlist for the mortgage comparison.

The era of keeping all your money in one account at 0.10–0.25% p.a. is over. The smart 2026 approach is to use conventional banks for transacting and digital banks or high-yield options for saving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have accounts at all three banks?

Yes. There’s no restriction on holding accounts at multiple Malaysian banks. Many Malaysians maintain a Maybank account for convenience, a CIMB account for savings rate, and a Public Bank account for loans.

Which Malaysian bank is the safest?

All three are regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia and insured under PIDM (Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia) for up to RM250,000 per depositor per institution. All three are systemically important banks and are considered among the safest financial institutions in Malaysia.

Is CIMB Bonus Saver really 4% per annum?

Yes — but only if you fulfil all monthly criteria including minimum card spend, salary crediting, and bill payment via CIMB. Miss one condition and your rate drops to a lower tier. Check CIMB’s website for the latest conditions, as they do update periodically.

Which bank is best for a first home loan in Malaysia?

Public Bank is frequently recommended by property agents for its competitive home loan rates and smooth processing. However, always compare offers from at least 2–3 banks. Maybank and CIMB are also competitive on home financing, and you may negotiate a better rate depending on your profile.

Should I switch completely to a digital bank?

Not completely — at least not yet. Digital banks like GXBank and RytBank offer excellent savings rates but lack the full loan products, physical branches, and established infrastructure of conventional banks. The best approach is to use both: a conventional bank as your primary account and a digital bank to maximise savings yield.

Explore more on Malaysian banking and savings:

Need to borrow money? Read our guide: Best Personal Loan Malaysia 2026: Maybank, CIMB, Bank Rakyat & More — Ranked

If you prefer a fully Shariah-compliant banking option, read our comparison of Bank Islam vs Bank Rakyat Malaysia 2026 — covering savings rates, personal financing, and which suits civil servants vs private sector workers.

Also comparing: Alliance Bank vs Hong Leong Bank Malaysia 2026: Which Is Better for Savings & Daily Banking?

Also see: UOB vs OCBC Malaysia 2026: Which Foreign Bank Is Better for Savings & Daily Banking?

Also see our dedicated comparison: Maybank vs RHB Malaysia 2026: Which Bank Is Better for Everyday Banking?

Looking for a detailed breakdown of two other popular banks? Check out our Public Bank vs AmBank Malaysia 2026 comparison.

Looking for a comparison that doesn’t include Maybank? See our CIMB vs RHB Malaysia 2026 guide.