Best bank 2025: ABA Bank
ABA Bank, a dominant force in Cambodia’s banking sector, has made strides in digital banking, strong financial growth and commitment to social responsibility.
Over the review period, total assets rose by 20.1% to $13.8 billion, while customer deposits increased by 19.3% to $11 billion – evidence of effective strategy execution and growing consumer trust.
Digital services were a key driver. Users of the bank’s ABA Mobile app grew by 32%, while ABA Merchant app customers surged by 30%. The bank’s ABA Pay payment app recorded a 61.8% jump in cashless transactions, mirroring the global shift toward digital payments. New features such as the lender’s virtual banking assistant and cross-border QR payments, particularly in Vietnam, improved the bank’s customer-centric product offering.
A refreshed online banking platform for businesses also spurred a 34.87% rise in online transaction volumes.
The bank posted strong financial results. It posted a return on equity of 14.47%. Net profit climbed 22.32%, and gross loans expanded 10.18%, underscoring wider market reach and improving efficiency.
The bank’s dedication to environmental, social and governance principles was equally clear. Initiatives ranged from school renovations and financial-literacy programmes to partnerships with Japan Heart and the Cambodian Red Cross, highlighting its commitment to community welfare.
By combining digital innovation, solid financial performance and active community engagement, ABA Bank has justifiably earned the title of Cambodia’s best bank.
Best bank for ESG 2025: Cambodian Public Bank
Cambodian Public Bank embeds sustainability in every facet of its business, coupling concrete environmental measures and purpose-driven financing with rigorous governance and community engagement.
To improve sustainability within its internal operations the bank has replaced traditional lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs and installed situ-filtration systems to curb bottled water use, to involve staff and the wider community in conservation. Additionally, initiatives such as digitisation and double-sided printing have helped cut paper consumption by 11%.
To reduce its own carbon footprint, the bank installed a 30 kWp solar array at the Boeng Keng Kang branch, offsetting about 27.05 tonnes of carbon in 2024, in its first year of measurable results.
On the financing side, the bank advanced sustainable development through targeted loans. It directed $10.95 million to affordable housing and $60,000 to electric and hybrid vehicles. Funding for electricity producers grew steeply, from $600,000 in 2023 to $10.57 million in 2024, underscoring support for renewable energy.
These efforts rest on solid governance: policies covering information security, technology risk, anti-bribery and whistle-blowing are enforced through a three-lines-of-defence risk-management model.
Staff development has been a key focus in the bank’s sustainable transformation journey. Over the review period, all of the lender’s employees completed mandatory information security awareness and other ESG-related training, while 64 individuals pursued professional certifications, averaging 55 training hours each.
Finally, the bank’s community focus shows in its supply-chain choices, with $2.336 million spent on local procurement to promote sustainable sourcing and support the Cambodian economy.
Best bank for SMEs 2025: Prince Bank
Prince Bank has emerged as Cambodia’s leading bank for SMEs, demonstrating impressive growth and a strong commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Its SME loan portfolio expanded from $80 million in 2023 to $230.6 million in 2024 across 1,148 accounts – a year-on-year increase of 188%.
To address specific SME needs, the bank partnered with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) to launch a Portfolio Guarantee Scheme for women entrepreneurs. Under the scheme, Prince Bank offered loans of up to $100,000 with terms of up to six years, 80% guaranteed by CGCC. Each loan was bundled with personal accident and medical expense insurance, adding valuable risk protection.
The bank has also made progress in digital banking. It introduced the Prince MobileBiz platform and expanded its Prince Merchant services. These tools support account management, batch payments, real-time transactions and advanced analytics, greatly improving operational efficiency for SME clients.
Beyond its products, Prince Bank focused on service and community engagement. A nationwide branch network staffed by experienced professionals – combined with active participation in SME association meetings – keeps the bank attuned to client needs. Continued investment in digital infrastructure and an open-banking ecosystem further illustrates the bank’s forward-looking approach.
Best bank for large corporates 2025: Canadia Bank
Over the review period, Canadia Bank grew its corporate loan book by 12.2 % to $3.41 billion (now 70 % of total loans) by focusing on sectors such as real estate, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality and infrastructure.
The bank partnered with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia to launch enhanced financing for agricultural producers, particularly rice exporters, offering loan-to-collateral value ratios of up to 250%. It also set up a specialised real estate financing unit to deliver structured solutions and faster deal execution for construction and property clients, while broadening its transactional banking suite with such products as cash collection and cash pooling services.
In the digital domain, the bank’s upgraded corporate internet banking platform now features customisable dashboards, multi-factor authentication, batch and real-time payments, multi-currency processing and detailed audit trails, giving clients greater control, security and efficiency.
To deepen relationships, the bank reorganised its corporate desks around personalised service models and streamlined onboarding. From the first kick-off meeting to ongoing feedback loops, the process is designed to be seamless and responsive.
