188, Vantage Desiran Tanjung, Tanjung Tokong, Seri Tanjung Pinang 11200 Penang
Mon - Fri: 9AM - 12PM
hello@northernsme.com
+6017-6785998
NorthernSME Logo
Northern SME | Get Business Loans Approved in 24 Hours
188, Vantage Desiran Tanjung, Tanjung Tokong, Seri Tanjung Pinang 11200 Penang
OPENING HOURS
Mon - Fri: 9AM - 5PM
hello@northernsme.com
+6017-6785998
NorthernSME Logo
Northern SME | Get Business Loans Approved in 24 Hours
Grace Lim — Senior Financial Content Writer | NorthernSME, Penang
Grace Lim — Senior Financial Content Writer, NorthernSME Penang

Grace Lim

Senior Financial Content Writer · NorthernSME, Penang
12 Years in Malaysian Banking Chartered Banker (AICB) BSc Finance, USM Penang Licensed Money Lending Specialist

Grace Lim is a Senior Financial Content Writer at NorthernSME (Dynamic Money Sdn. Bhd.) in Penang. With over 12 years of hands-on experience in Malaysian banking and SME credit, she has reviewed thousands of loan applications from small business owners across Penang, Kedah, Perak and Perlis. Grace writes to bridge the knowledge gap between Malaysia's credit system and the SME owners who navigate it daily.

Qualifications and Certifications

Degree
Bachelor of Finance (Hons)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang
Graduated 2010 · Corporate Finance and Credit Management
Professional Certification
Chartered Banker
Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB)
Certified 2016 · Membership No. CB/2016/04271
Certification
Credit Management Certificate
Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB)
Completed 2013
Membership
Associate Member
Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM)
Member since 2018

Professional Experience

  • Senior Financial Content Writer
    NorthernSME (Dynamic Money Sdn. Bhd.) · Penang
    2020 — Present · 5+ years
    Writes specialist financial content on SME lending, licensed money lending regulation, and business loan advisory for the NorthernSME blog. Draws on direct experience reviewing over 1,800 SME loan applications across Penang, Kedah, Perak and Perlis to produce practical, accurate guidance for Malaysian business owners.
  • SME Relationship Manager
    Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) · Penang Branch
    2013 — 2020 · 7 years
    Managed a portfolio of 120+ SME clients across Penang and Northern Kedah. Structured and approved SME financing from RM50,000 to RM2 million under BNM's SME financing guidelines. Developed deep understanding of why bank applications fail and what lenders look for in SME credit assessment.
  • Credit Analyst
    CIMB Bank Berhad · Penang
    2010 — 2013 · 3 years
    Conducted financial statement analysis and credit risk assessments for business loan applications. Prepared credit proposals for SME and mid-market clients. Built foundational expertise in CCRIS, CTOS, and Malaysian credit reporting frameworks.

Areas of Expertise

SME loan structuring KPKT licensed lending regulation Credit assessment (CCRIS / CTOS) Working capital financing Startup business loans Malaysia Moneylenders Act 1951 Business loan advisory (Penang) Micro and SME financing Bank loan application strategy Direct lending Malaysia Personal loans for business use Northern Malaysia SME market

Publications and Media

  • "Why Penang SMEs Still Struggle to Access Bank Credit" — Expert Commentary
    The Star Business Section · March 2024
  • "Understanding CCRIS: What Your Credit Report Actually Tells a Lender"
    SME Magazine Malaysia · Q2 2023 · Contributing Author
  • Panel Speaker — "SME Financing in Northern Malaysia: The Non-Bank Options"
    Penang SME Business Forum · George Town · November 2023
  • "Pinjaman Berlesen vs Bank: Pilihan PKS di Malaysia Utara" — Expert Quote
    Utusan Malaysia Business Supplement · August 2024
  • Regular Contributor — NorthernSME Blog
    northernsme.com · 2020 to present