Bank Negara Malaysia imposed monetary penalties totalling RM15.9 million in 2025 through 284 supervisory and enforcement actions, the central bank disclosed on 31 March 2026. The figures represent a reduction from the 326 actions and RM18.9 million in penalties recorded in 2024, with offences mainly related to anti-money laundering, technology risk management, prudential standards and foreign exchange policies.
BNM took action against nine banks that failed to meet its regulatory expectations on unplanned system downtime, including penalties totalling RM5.6 million. BNM described unplanned system downtime that disrupted essential banking services as a notable area for enforcement and supervisory action in 2025.
AML BREACHES LEAD
Technology risk management was one of the main offence areas BNM cited for 2025, alongside anti-money laundering, prudential standards and foreign exchange policies.
Anti-money laundering compliance was also identified as a principal offence category for the year. AML/CFT/CPF breaches accounted for 107 of the 284 actions, followed by foreign exchange (83) and prudential breaches (74). BNM said its actions reinforce its zero-tolerance stance against financial crimes.
SCOPE OF REGULATED AND NON-REGULATED ENTITIES
The 284 actions taken in 2025 covered a broad range of entities: 150 actions were taken against BNM-regulated institutions — including 52 against commercial banks, 32 against insurers and 20 against money services businesses — and 134 against non-regulated entities, including individuals.
BNM said supervisory actions, such as warning letters, reprimands and enforceable undertakings, serve as preventive and corrective tools, while enforcement actions, such as administrative monetary penalties and compounds, are imposed for material regulatory breaches.