Baiduri Bank has officially joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey. The signing ceremony, held today, demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to adopting sustainable practices aligned with global standards and principles.

The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. It supports businesses in aligning their strategies and operations with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. By joining this initiative, organisations gain access to a network of global leaders and resources to build sustainable business models while contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking on the significance of this membership, Ti Eng Hui, CEO of Baiduri Bank, emphasised, “Achieving sustainability is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration across industries and borders. Through the UN Global Compact, we look forward to working alongside global leaders, sharing best practices, and collectively addressing the challenges we face in building a sustainable future.

“Sustainability has always been part of how we operate at Baiduri Bank. From our Green Mark-certified headquarters to our pioneering efforts in technology adoption and sustainable financing, we are committed to driving progress across our People, Process, and Planet pillars,” he continued.

At the ceremony, representatives from the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei, Faroze Nadar, Executive Director, Tan Zhi Ying, Head of Member Relations, and Nur Aisya, Lead, Member Relations highlighted the importance of the Compact’s collaborative platform in advancing sustainable development.

"We are delighted to welcome Baiduri Bank to the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei. Their participation reflects a strong commitment to advancing sustainability and responsible business practices. As part of our growing network, Baiduri Bank is well-positioned to collaborate with like-minded organisations and foster a shared vision for a more sustainable future," said Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei.

Baiduri Bank’s journey towards sustainability has been a progressive and deliberate effort, rooted in a strong sense of corporate responsibility and a vision to create a positive impact for future generations. Long before formalising its strategy, beginning in 2010, the Bank pioneered the virtualisation of its computer servers, achieving a 95% virtualised workload today, complemented by the adoption of cloud and SaaS solutions such as Microsoft 365 and its upcoming new core banking system. These efforts have enhanced efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and optimised resources.
Additionally, investments in modern, energy-efficient data centres at its headquarters and Jerudong backup site further underscore the Bank’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.

Baiduri Bank has also taken proactive steps to minimise its environmental footprint by promoting online banking and e-statements, reducing paper usage by over 70% in recent years. The Bank has launched free EV charging facilities in collaboration with local car dealers and launched biodegradable and environmentally friendly debit and credit cards as part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives.

In 2023, Baiduri Bank took a significant step forward by forming a dedicated Sustainability Committee tasked with embedding sustainability into its operations and aligning with global standards. This was followed by the completion of a comprehensive Materiality Assessment in 2024, which identified 19 material topics. Of these, nine were prioritised as part of the Bank’s Sustainability Strategy structured under three pillars: People, Process, and Planet.

These pillars form the foundation of the Bank’s sustainability approach. Under the People pillar, the Bank focuses on talent attraction, development, and retention, along with fostering diversity, inclusion, and employee wellbeing. The Process pillar prioritises digital transformation, cybersecurity, and customer-centric innovation. The Planet pillar addresses key environmental imperatives, including climate change mitigation, sustainable financing, and responsible procurement practices.

This structured strategy positions Baiduri Bank to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities, ensuring that sustainability is not just a commitment but a transformative journey. As part of its roadmap, the Bank will appoint its first Head of Sustainability in 2025 to lead these efforts, champion operational excellence, and foster collaboration with stakeholders to drive impactful change.

The Bank’s robust and comprehensive CSR programme supports the Bank’s sustainability strategy through financial literacy campaigns, environmental conservation efforts, and the empowerment of local MSMEs. This signing represents not just a pledge but a promise to continue innovating, collaborating, and making meaningful contributions to sustainability on both a local and global scale.

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