Malaysia

Bank Simpanan Nasional will appoint 5,000 banking agents over the next three years to enhance banking convenience to rural residents.

Malaysia's central bank has given Affin Holdings permission to negotiate with DRB-Hicom on Bank Muamalat sale.

The creation of an Islamic bank is in the pipeline for DRB-Hicom provided it succeeds in paring down its stake in Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd to Affin Holdings Bhd.

Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board may become the first large non-financial company from Europe to sell Islamic bonds.

Malaysia's Islamic banks could get a greater role in managing sukuk by penetrating distribution channels to investors in Southeast Asia.

Five of Malaysia’s 10 so called “anchor banking groups” are already doing business in China.

Leading industry players in Islamic finance are requesting a balanced regulation that does not impede its growth or allow for abuse.

Bank Islam Malaysia is eyeing a 30 percent loans growth this year.

Bank Simpanan Nasional targets to increase its net income to RM1.3 billion by the end of this year from RM1.032 billion in 2011.

How can banks optimise regulatory compliance and everchanging rules? Instead of an ad-hoc and piecemeal approach, regulatory compliance challenges can be addressed by an "optimised" parallel approach, which takes advantage of common business and processing traits across multiple regulations.

The Association of Islamic Banking Institutions Malaysia expects the upcoming Budget 2013 to give special emphasis on consumers.

Bank Muamalat's increased its by net profit 41.6 per cent to RM45.2 million for the first quarter ended June

DRB-HICOM Bhd will not divest all its stake in Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd to Affin Holdings Bhd.

The Malaysian banking sector will sustain growth momentum in the second half of the year with a healthy loan pipeline, especially business loans, according to HwangDBS Vickers Research.

Malaysia accounts for US$165.2 billion or 60% of worldwide sukuk deals. Sukuk is the Islamic equivalent of bonds.

Financial reforms in Malaysia will give Islamic banks more opportunities in the rural areas.