Bank unionism illustrates some of the diverse experiences of Malaysian unions in a seemingly hostile legislative environment. The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) is a powerful union that contrasts with in-house unions in several banks and which shows that it is not impossible for Malaysian unions to organise and secure gains for members. Its experience illustrates the importance for union prosperity of: workplace union activity; the capacity to protect members from insecurity and arbitrary treatment; workplace reform strategies; internal discourse; education and training; union culture; creative and strategic approaches to industrial action; and the role of politics in industrial relations.