What Banks Really Look at Before Approving Your Loan (It’s Not Just Salary)

Many Malaysians believe that having a stable job and good salary is enough to get a loan approved.
In reality, salary alone is no longer the deciding factor.

Banks today look at your overall financial profile, not just how much you earn.

Understanding this can help you avoid rejection and apply with confidence.

Why Salary Alone Is No Longer Enough

In the past, income played a bigger role in loan approval.
Today, banks are more cautious.

They want to know:

  • Can you manage your current commitments?
  • Will you be able to repay consistently?
  • How risky is your financial behaviour?

This is why two people with the same salary can get very different loan outcomes.

1. Your Monthly Commitments Matter Most

Banks closely examine your monthly commitments, such as:

  • Personal loans
  • Credit card minimum payments
  • Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) instalments
  • Car and home financing

Even small commitments add up.

If too much of your salary is already committed, your approval chances drop — regardless of income.

2. Debt Service Ratio (DSR)

One of the most important factors is your Debt Service Ratio (DSR).

DSR shows:

How much of your income is used to pay debts every month.

If your DSR is too high, banks may:

  • Reduce the loan amount
  • Delay approval
  • Reject the application

This is why understanding your DSR is crucial before applying.

3. CTOS and CCRIS Records

Banks rely heavily on CTOS and CCRIS reports to assess your credit behaviour.

These reports show:

  • Payment history
  • Outstanding balances
  • Past and current loan records
  • Any missed or late payments

Many Malaysians apply for loans without checking these records — which increases rejection risk.

4. Repayment Behaviour

Banks don’t just check what you owe.
They check how you pay.

Consistent, on-time payments improve trust.
Late or missed payments raise red flags — even if they happened in the past.

5. Number of Recent Loan Applications

Applying to multiple banks at once may seem smart, but it can backfire.

Too many recent applications can signal:

  • Financial stress
  • Over-borrowing risk

This can reduce approval chances instead of increasing them.

Why Many Malaysians Get Rejected Without Knowing Why

Most rejections happen because applicants:

  • Apply without checking CTOS / CCRIS
  • Don’t understand their DSR
  • Underestimate monthly commitments
  • Assume salary guarantees approval

Loan rejection is often about lack of clarity, not irresponsibility.

What You Should Do Before Applying for a Loan

Before applying for any loan in Malaysia, take these steps:

  • Review all monthly commitments
  • Check your CTOS and CCRIS records
  • Understand your real loan eligibility
  • Get professional advice if needed

These steps help you apply smarter and avoid unnecessary rejection.

How Leap Concept Helps You Apply With Confidence

At Leap Concept, we help Malaysians understand what banks see — before they apply.

We offer:

  • 🔍 FREE CTOS & eligibility checks
  • 📊 Clear explanation of your financial profile
  • 💡 Advice on suitable loan or consolidation options
  • 🤝 Guidance throughout the application process

No pressure. No guesswork. Just clarity.

Start Your Loan Application the Smart Way

Loan approval is not just about how much you earn.
It’s about how well your finances are structured.

👉 Talk to Leap Concept today.
Get your FREE CTOS check and financial consultation and apply with confidence.

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Leap Concept Sdn Bhd (started off as Fleap Global Enterprise in 2019) is a financial consulting firm that is dedicated to help the financially troubled achieve financial freedom. 

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