Malaysia

ANZ has expanded into Malaysia with a branch office in the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre.

Bank Islam expects 2012 to be challenging with moderate loans growth and weaker net interest margin as competition sets in.

Alliance Bank Malaysia is confident of gaining a 15-17 percent growth in its SME business for its financial year ending March 31, 2013.

Affin Holdings and Bank of East Asia expect their Islamic bank to become operational by 2H12.

Malaysia's banking sector is expecting a seven percent earnings growth this year.

Malaysia’s largest bank now provides top tier individuals more personalised services with exclusive regional rewards, privileges and access to client centres.

San Miguel Corp is close to selling 60 percent of its Bank of Commerce to Malaysia's CIMB Group.

Following its success in Indonesia, the Ar-Rahnu Islamic pawnbroking business will be launched by CIMB Islamic Bank in Malaysia.

The MOU is for proposed acquisition of cash equities and corporate finance businesses of RBS.

Maybank opened its 19th branch in Sabah to allow for greater banking accessibility to the community.

Perodua urged local banks to implement new guidelines in stages to allow a soft landing for both the players and consumers.

BIMB Holdings' profit before zakat and taxation is up 47 percent to US$189.2 million for the financial period ended Dec 31, 2011.

Hong Leong Financial Group's profit before tax decreased 34.4% to157.8 million for the first fiscal half-year ended 31 December 2011.

For 4Q11 alone, the Group’s net profit of US$374 million was 12% higher than 3Q11.

Standard Chartered Bank has opened its first Saadiq branch in Sabah to strengthen its presence in the state.

The CIMB Group has appointed Katsumi Hatao as its non-independent non-executive director.