Best Personal Loans for Self-Employed Individuals in Malaysia (2025)
Getting a personal loan as a self-employed individual in Malaysia can be challenging due to unstable income sources and the lack of fixed salary slips. However, some banks and financial institutions offer flexible personal loans for freelancers, business owners, and gig workers.
This guide provides detailed information on the best personal loans for self-employed individuals, including loan amounts, interest rates, eligibility, and application requirements.
1. RHB Personal Financing
πΉ Loan Amount: RM2,000 β RM150,000
πΉ Repayment Period: 1 β 7 years
πΉ Interest Rate: 7.62% β 14.00% per annum
πΉ Approval Time: 24 β 48 hours
πΉ Features:
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No collateral required
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Quick approval (instant decision for eligible applicants)
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Competitive interest rates
πΉ Eligibility Criteria:
- Malaysian citizen aged 21 β 55 years
- Minimum gross monthly income: RM1,500
- Self-employed for at least 2 years
- Must provide bank statements and tax records
πΉ Apply Here: RHB Personal Loan
π Best for: Freelancers and small business owners looking for quick approval and flexible repayment options.
2. CIMB Cash Plus Personal Loan
πΉ Loan Amount: RM2,000 β RM100,000
πΉ Repayment Period: 2 β 5 years
πΉ Interest Rate: 4.38% β 14.55% per annum
πΉ Approval Time: Within 24 hours
πΉ Features:
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No guarantor required
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No processing fees
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No early settlement penalty
πΉ Eligibility Criteria:
- Malaysian citizen aged 21 β 58 years
- Minimum gross monthly income: RM2,000
- Business must be registered with SSM (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia)
- Must provide 3 to 6 months’ bank statements
πΉ Apply Here: CIMB Cash Plus Loan
π Best for: Self-employed individuals without a fixed salary who need a fast loan without hidden fees.
3. Maybank Personal Loan
πΉ Loan Amount: RM5,000 β RM100,000
πΉ Repayment Period: 2 β 6 years
πΉ Interest Rate: 6.50% β 8.00% per annum
πΉ Approval Time: 24 β 48 hours
πΉ Features:
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Fixed monthly installment (easy budgeting)
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No collateral required
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Available for business owners and freelancers
πΉ Eligibility Criteria:
- Malaysian citizen aged 21 β 60 years
- Minimum gross monthly income: RM3,500
- Business must be operating for at least 2 years
- Must provide income tax returns and business registration proof
πΉ Apply Here: Maybank Personal Loan
π Best for: Self-employed professionals and business owners with stable income.
4. Hong Leong Bank Personal Loan
πΉ Loan Amount: RM5,000 β RM250,000
πΉ Repayment Period: 2 β 5 years
πΉ Interest Rate: 9.00% β 12.50% per annum
πΉ Approval Time: 24 β 48 hours
πΉ Features:
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High financing amount (up to RM250,000)
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Cashback on interest if paid on time
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Easy online application
πΉ Eligibility Criteria:
- Malaysian citizen aged 21 β 60 years
- Minimum gross monthly income: RM2,000
- Must provide 6 months’ bank statements and SSM registration
πΉ Apply Here: Hong Leong Bank Personal Loan
π Best for: Self-employed individuals who need a high loan amount with interest rebates.
5. Bank Muamalat Personal Financing-i (Islamic Loan)
πΉ Loan Amount: Up to RM400,000
πΉ Repayment Period: Up to 10 years
πΉ Profit Rate: 2.77% β 7.00% per annum
πΉ Approval Time: 3 β 5 working days
πΉ Features:
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Shariah-compliant (Islamic financing)
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No guarantor required
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Flexible repayment terms
πΉ Eligibility Criteria:
- Malaysian citizen aged 18 β 70 years
- Minimum gross monthly income: RM2,500
- Must provide bank statements, business documents, and proof of income
πΉ Apply Here: Bank Muamalat Personal Loan
π Best for: Self-employed individuals looking for Shariah-compliant financing with high loan amounts.
Alternative Loan Options for Self-Employed Individuals
1. Licensed Money Lenders (Fast Approval but Higher Interest)
If banks reject your application, consider licensed money lenders. These loans offer faster approvals but higher interest rates (12% β 18% per annum).
πΉ Check Licensed Money Lenders Here: KPKT Website
π Best for: Individuals who need urgent cash but cannot qualify for a bank loan.
2. P2P Lending (Peer-to-Peer Lending)
P2P lending platforms connect borrowers with investors, offering an alternative financing method.
π Popular P2P Lending Platforms in Malaysia:
π Best for: Self-employed individuals with lower credit scores looking for alternative funding options.
3. Credit Card Cash Advance (Emergency Loan Option)
If you need urgent cash, withdrawing a cash advance from a credit card is an option. However, this comes with high interest rates (18% β 24% per annum).
π Best for: Short-term financial needs when no other loan options are available.
Final Tips for Self-Employed Individuals
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Prepare strong financial documents (tax returns, bank statements, SSM registration) to improve approval chances.
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Maintain a good credit score to get lower interest rates.
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Compare different loan options before applying.
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Avoid illegal money lenders (Ah Longs) β Always check if the lender is licensed by KPKT.
By choosing the right personal loan, self-employed individuals in Malaysia can secure the funding they need while ensuring manageable repayments. π