Malaysia

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.

The merger between OSK Holdings Bhd's investment banking arm and RHB Capital Bhd is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2013.

Maybank's profits rose by 21.2 percent to 2.7 billion Malaysian ringgit or US$862 million in the first half from the same period last year.

Malaysia still leads in Islamic finance trailed by Singapore, which is striving to create more business in the sector.

Alliance Financial Group is pushing for more more business in the consumer and SME sector.

Malaysia's central bank has given the green light for Affin to commence negotiations for a possible acquisition of equity interests in Bank Muamalat.

Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd plans to develop three innovative financing products for technology SMEs by year-end.