Ninety-nine per cent of Malaysians have access to banking services at bank branches or through banking agents, says Bank Negara Malaysia.

Its Development Finnace and Enterprise director Marina Kahar said the central bank introduced the banking agent initiative in 2012 under the 2011-2020 Financial Sector Master Plan.

She said nationwide, 96 per cent of mukims with a population exceeding 2,000 now have access to basic banking services compared to just 46 per cent in 2011.

Banking agents nationwide performed 34 million transactions worth RM3.5 billion, she said at the presentation of AgroAgent appointment certificates and the opening of AgroBank's Semporna branch by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob here Sunday.

AgroAgents may be based at post offices, petrol stations, chain stores or sole proprietorships, and offer rural residents basic services such as cash deposits and withdrawals, she said.

Banking transactions may also be made at offices of area farmers organisations and fishermens' associations or the nearest Agrobazaar, and are safe, fast and easy, she added.