Kuala lumpur: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank), a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB) group, has announced the appointment of Samad Majid Zain as its chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Samad joined SME Bank as chief financial officer in November 2021, where he played a crucial role in enhancing the bank's financial stewardship, organisational resilience, and strategic execution. His leadership has been pivotal during a significant period of transition for the bank. The bank stated that Samad's appointment as CEO reflects the board's confidence in his leadership capabilities, extensive experience in the financial services industry, and commitment to fulfilling SME Bank's development mandate. This move is expected to further empower Malaysia's micro, small, and medium enterprises, contributing positively to the nation's long-term economic growth and competitiveness. Before his tenure at SME Bank, Samad was the grou p chief operating officer at a local bank-backed investment bank. His qualifications include being a chartered banker of the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers and a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant of CPA Australia. Samad holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on information technology management from Multimedia University.