Malaysia

RHB Investment Management Sdn Bhd (RHBIM) has chartered remarkable performances for two of its funds, the RHB Bond Fund and the RHB Islamic Bond Fund. Since its inception in October 1997, the RHB Bond Fund has recorded an impressive 91.43 percent growth. Meanwhile the RHB Islamic Bond Fund saw a growth of 64.39% since its August 2000 launch. This is the second time this year that RHBIM declared an income distribution for the RHB Islamic Bond Fund, the first being in May 2009 with an income distribution of 2.50 sen per unit. For  this round, RHBIM declared a gross distribution of 3.00 sen per unit (or 2.7412 percent yield) for the RHB Islamic Bond Fund, and 5.00 sen per unit (or 5.2960 percent yield) for the RHB Bond Fund on 30 September, 2009. This is the first income distribution declared in 2009 for the RHB Bond Fund. The RHB Islamic Bond Fund is also the winner of the 2008 Failaka Islamic Fund Award for the Best Malaysian Islamic Bond Fund (one-year) Category in March 2009. The RHB Bond Fund and the RHB Islamic Bond Fund are part of RHBIM’s belt of Evergreen Funds. The RHB Bond Fund aims to provide investors with higher than average income returns compared to fixed deposits over the medium- to long-term through investments in bonds and other fixed income securities with minimum risk to the invested capital. The objective of the RHB Islamic Bond Fund is to provide regular income to investors through investments in Islamic debt securities and bonds which are acceptable under the Shariah principles. RHBIM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RHB Investment Bank, under the Corporate and Investment Banking arm of the RHB Banking Group, and currently has a stable of 25 retail funds.

CIMB Bank Bhd head of retail banking Peter England said the bank's new product aims to protect capital and ensures returns.

Public Bank is launching the PB Templeton BRIC, a structured investment product, offering investors the opportunity to capitalise on the growth potential of the Brazil, Russia, India and China economies.

Hong Leong Bank has launched Hong Leong Endowment Plus, a new insurance plan that pays customers a guaranteed cash payment of 5% and potentially an additional 2% of the sum assured on an annual basis. The cash payment will start from the end of 5th year if the premium payment period is 5 years, or end of 8th year for 8 years of payment. An eligible customer can choose to be covered up until 25 years.

RHB Investment Management Sdn Bhd (RHBIM) has declared an interim income distribution of 0.8000 sen net per unit for the RHB Global Fortune Fund.

The Asian economic uptrend makes Asian equities attractive, says CIMB as it calls upon investors to take advantage of the Asian recovery.

It was a much-coveted opportunity for valued customers of Public Bank to hear from Dr Mark Mobius, the world-renowned investment expert on his views of opportunities in the emerging markets. The response to the talk was overwhelming with customers coming from as far as East Malaysia, as Dr. Mobius's reputation precedes him.

AmInvestment Bank Berhad launches its new Base Prospectus, along with the introduction of its AmWarrants Portal and a pair of Put and Call Warrants over Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKEC).

OCBC Malaysia will grow its bancasurance business by distributing Great Eastern Life Assurance developed products through its 29 conventional banking branches. This is made possible by the partnership formed between the two groups in the area of bancassurance following the recent liberalisation of the financial services sector in Malaysia. This move is also in line with the Group's focus on seeking stronger growth opportunities and deepening market penetration in the country under its New Horizons II strategy. The range of products selected for distribution will be assessed to ensure that they meet the different lifestyle and life stage needs of the Bank's retail customers. For a start, OCBC Malaysia will distribute MaxMoney Plus and MaxMoney Back which are two insurance products from Great Eastern Life Assurance Malaysia. "By leveraging on our strategic relationship with Great Eastern Holdings to cross-sell products that meet the diverse needs of our customers, we have successfully increased our market share in Singapore over the years, to achieve and maintain our leading bancassurance position," said Mr Andrew Lee, OCBC Bank's Head of Global Consumer Financial Services. "We launched bancassurance in Malaysia in 2003. Following the implementation of the new liberalisation rules, we can now work with our subsidiary Great Eastern in Malaysia to grow our bancassurance business across the causeway. We look forward to transferring successful business models and product solutions from Singapore to Malaysia. Our customers in Malaysia will soon have access to a wide array of bancassurance products and services that meets their needs," he added.  

Public Bank and ING Insurance launched a plan designed for investing in selected Asian markets and benefit from its potential recovery.

The Securities Commission has granted Nomura Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd a special scheme stock broking license. It signaled the establishment of Nomura’s cash equities business in Malaysia.

Public Bank is offering balanced and diversified investment portfolio comprising bonds and equities with its PB Templeton Asian Focus.

Hong Leong Tokio Marine Takaful sold approximately US$6.868 million with its Global Infrastructure & Income Plan.

Hong Leong Bank launched a four-year 100 percent capital protected product aiming to provide a targeted annual income of 6 percent through exposure to a commodity-linked index.

Public Bank now allows investors to capitalise on the growth potential of the Australian market with its new fund. Called the PB Australia Dynamic Balanced Fund, it will be managed by the bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, Public Mutual.

Franklin Templeton Investments, banking on Sandeep Singh's more than 14 years of experience in the asset management industry, has appointed the recently relocated veteran as Country Head of Franklin Templeton Asset Management (Malaysia).