ASEAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION was founded in 1976. From the original five members, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, it became six in 1983 when Negara Brunei Darussalam joined as a member. In 1995, Vietnam was admitted into ASEAN as the seventh member and the constituent membership of the Association was enlarged accordingly. In May 1999, The Association of Banks in Cambodia joined the Association as its 8th member.

The objectives of the association are:

• To accelerate the economic growth of ASEAN countries through collaboration among its member banks
• To promote the development of the banking and financial system and profession in the ASEAN countries
• To foster friendship and co-operation amongst bankers in the ASEAN countries
• To activate the collaboration of its institutions and to provide assistance to one another when necessary
• To identify growth opportunities for ASEAN banks and to promote their common interests