"WE are not just a bank. Our purpose is to advance customers and society, foster inclusion and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us," said group chief executive officer of CIMB Group Novan Amirudin.
He added: "We are a big believer in nurturing talent across Asean and this evening we present a group of talents we are proud to nurture."
Novan was referring to the young musicians of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) — a part of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) — led by conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose, who were accompanying the singers at the recent CIMB 100 Years & More Kita Bagi Jadi concert, which was held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre's Plenary Hall recently.
"Together with MyCreative Ventures, CIMB Group has embarked on a one-year public-private partnership to support the MPYO," he says of the partnership, which began in the middle of this year.
The beginning of the partnership with MPO was marked by the launch of 'Kita Bagi Jadi', which is a movement aimed at spreading positivity and celebrating the spirit of resilience that is evident among Malaysians, he explained.
"Since then, the MPYO has performed at the CIMB Artober Art & Soul art fair and this evening, the 54 young musicians are part of the 100-performer line-up performing at this 100-minute concert."
The concert, which also marks the bank's 100-year anniversary, is to celebrate the positive impact through economic empowerment and financial inclusion among communities and society at large. That is the purpose of CIMB.
"In order to foster inclusion, we make it a point that in everything we do, we must always think about society as a whole.
"Whatever we do, it can't just benefit a small group or only some part of society. It must benefit everyone, as no one should be left behind.
"As an Asean bank, we serve more than 30 million customers across all segments of society.
"We bank everyone, from the underserved, to the high nets, SMEs to large corporates, governments and multinational corporations.
"Our strength lies in the diversity of our 33,000 people across 10 countries. We harness their collective perspectives in serving our customers, united by a CIMB culture."
Novan added: "Over the last five years, we have disbursed over RM50 billion in loans to the B40 and small Malaysian businesses, some in partnership with the government.
"Twenty million customers actively use Touch 'n Go eWallet (TNG eWallet) as their everyday wallet, including half a million foreign workers, who are without a local bank account.
"During the pandemic, the TNG eWallet helped our government to mobilise cash to the B40 group via the e-Tunai & e-Penjana programmes," he explained.
He added: "We lead in the global Islamic finance space, drawing from Malaysia's vision to be an early mover.
"CIMB Niaga Syariah is the second largest Islamic bank in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.
"We are fully digital in the Philippines and Vietnam, using a unique model of working with e-commerce players to serve our customers."
According to Novan, over the past five years, the group has invested over RM150 million in education, sports, and the arts, to help individuals reach their full potential, while prioritising environmental causes.
"Our CIMB Asean Scholarship is now in its ninth year. Some of our 130 scholars are here today, and will be leaders of CIMB tomorrow.
"Our brand ambassadors, past and present, Datuk Nicol David and Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, are symbols of inspiration globally," he added proudly.
One of them was also up on the stage at the concert.
Cast as one of the storytellers at the concert, Datuk Azizulhasni a.k.a. the Pocket Rocketman received a rousing applause when he recounted his heartbreaking moment at the last summer Olympics in Paris.
"I cannot describe (my emotions) with words whenever Negaraku is played when I'm at the podium," he said during his highlight segment.
"...and then Paris happened."
There was a pin-drop silence in the audience.
"The feeling was worse than my splinter crash in 2011. Hati saya remuk, berkecai... sukar untuk saya lupakan.
"I felt like I let the country down. I let you down," he said, before the crowd started showing their support for the beloved sportsman.
That moment echoed what Novan said in his speech about spreading positivity and celebrating the spirit of resilience.
Besides Azizulhasni, the other two storytellers who delivered monologues that evening were actors Tony Eusoff and Nadia Aqilah.
The stellar line-up of singers who performed at the concert were Datuk Zainal Abidin, Dayang Nurfaizah, Jaclyn Victor, Aina Abdul, Azlan (of Azlan & The Typewriter), Hael Husaini, Scha Nuril (winner of CIMB Rising Start Asean) and Indonesian crooner Cakra Khan.
Judging from the applause, the 2,000-strong crowd, which included Finance Minister II Datuk Amir Hamzah and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, the concert was a spectacular evening not to be forgotten anytime soon.