Malaysia

Investors in Malaysia tend to be distracted by the large, government-linked companies that tower over the economy. In reality, small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of Malaysia Inc: 98.5% of businesses are SMEs of myriad sizes and across all sectors, and these enterprises account for 39% – or $131 billion – of Malaysia's gross domestic product.

With 116 years on the local scene, Hong Leong Bank tends to walk away with awards for its innovative and steady business for small and medium-sized enterprises.

To put Maybank Investment Bank’s performance in perspective, consider this: it notched up $12.3 billion of investment banking deals in the 12 months to June 1, which was 34% more than its closest rival.

AmBank’s chief executive, Sulaiman Mohd Tahir, and his team didn’t need any nudges from the Malaysian government as 2020 descended into economic chaos. AmBank was already way ahead of pleas from the government to extend loan payment schedules: it offered creative restructuring plans and generous repayment assistance packages.

Over the last decade, CIMB Islamic Bank, led by chief executive Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, has emerged as a premier medium-sized, full-service Islamic franchise in the Asean region.

On paper, Citi Malaysia is a hard operation to beat. After 62 years in Kuala Lumpur, its 5,000-plus workforce offers innovative financial products and services to companies and institutions. Citi banks 80% of the companies with the largest market capitalization in Malaysia and 650 multinational corporations.

Maybank’s decision to commit nearly $12 billion to a sustainable finance framework goes a long way to explaining why it deserves Asiamoney’s best bank award in Malaysia yet again this year. The announcement by Malaysia’s biggest lender in July 2021 drew attention to the nation’s efforts to raise its economic game.

The 31st annual Asiamoney Brokers Poll invited chief investment officers, fund managers and investment analysts to take part. Voters represented fund management houses, hedge fund & private equity firms, insurance companies and wealth management houses in Asia, Europe and North America.

From Malaysia’s central bank to its largest commercial bank, women are at the helm — and they are actively working to promote the next crop of female leaders.