Technical interview prep specifically for Malaysian banking sector roles
by Karthik Pillai·May 23, 2026
Bank interviews in Malaysia are different from tech company interviews. After going through processes at 3 banks this year, here's what to prepare.
Technical areas most tested:
- Excel (yes, still very relevant — vlookup, pivot tables, basic macros)
- Financial products knowledge relevant to the division (FX, derivatives, retail products)
- Regulatory awareness: BNM guidelines, Basel III basics, anti-money laundering basics
- Data analysis: SQL is increasingly tested even for non-tech roles in analytics or risk
Soft skills tested heavily:
- Client scenario roleplays for front-office roles
- Compliance judgment scenarios ("what would you do if...")
- Teamwork situations
Unique to Malaysian banks: Understanding of dual banking (conventional vs Islamic), basic takaful vs insurance distinction. Even if the role is conventional, being aware signals local market knowledge.