Bank Negara Malaysia welcomes the initiative by the banking industry and Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) to introduce the Financial Management & Resilience Programme (URUS, Program Pengurusan dan Ketahanan Kewangan) for individual borrowers/customers who continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

URUS will assist B50 borrowers with performing loans who have lost their jobs or who are experiencing an income loss of at least 50%. Eligible borrowers who wish to apply for URUS can approach their banks starting from 15 November 2021 to 31 January 2022.

“BNM has been working with AKPK to put in place a holistic debt management and financial planning solution. The aim is to provide appropriate support to borrowers so that they not only meet their loan obligations but importantly, return to a firmer financial footing. This will strengthen the financial resilience of borrowers in the longer term,” said Governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus. The implementation of URUS is in line with these efforts.

Borrowers/customers who are not eligible for URUS may also approach their banks to discuss other repayment solutions that suit their financial circumstances.

Borrowers/customers facing any difficulty with their applications, may contact BNMTELELINK at bnm.gov.my/RAsurvey to seek assistance. Borrowers/customers may also obtain more information on the new scheme by visiting banks’ and AKPK’s websites.

For SMEs, further enhancements to BNM’s Fund for SMEs will be announced during the upcoming Budget 2022. These enhancements to the Fund will help businesses manage cashflows and reposition themselves with the reopening of the economy.

Despite heightened credit risks, bank financing to SMEs continues to expand with additional capacity provided through the Fund and credit guarantee schemes. For the first six months of 2021, a total of RM154 billion was disbursed to SMEs which is 4% higher than the pre-pandemic level. Since the start of the pandemic, a total of RM18 billion has been allocated under the Fund to augment financing by the banking system to SMEs. Loans outstanding for the SME segment increased by 6% over the same period last year. Efforts are also underway to develop alternative debt-equity and blended financing initiatives to enable SMEs have access to a wider range of appropriate financing options across their growth cycle. “This will be important to lower the leverage and strengthen the long-term resilience and capacity of SMEs, and increase their contribution to the economy,” added Governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah.

See also:

• Information on URUS: URUS
• Other programmes and initiatives by AKPK:
  • Debt Management Programme (DMP)
  • Small Debt Resolution Scheme (SDRS)
  • Financial advisory services
  • SME Help Desk
• Measures to address COVID-19
  • Financial Management & Resilience Programme (URUS)
  • BNM's Fund for SMEs