KUALA LUMPUR (June 16): Property-to-medical conglomerate Sunway Bhd said it will apply for a digital banking licence to be issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

“Sunway aims to build a fintech ecosystem to promote financial inclusion for Malaysians as well as micro, small and medium enterprises,” the company’s spokesman said in an email response to questions today. Sunway will bid for the permit along with its consortium partners, who it did not name.

BNM has said that it will issue up to five digital banking permits, and companies have until the end of this month to apply. The central bank is expected to decide on the winners next year.

Sunway owns and manages Sunway Money, an online and licensed remittance house that is fully digital. The company is also the majority shareholder of Credit Bureau Malaysia, a credit reporting agency.