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The Malaysia-based International Islamic Liquidity Management Corp. (IILM) has reshuffled its Shariah board, losing four of its original six members. The IILM has been troubled by internal management upheaval, like the change of its chief executive late last year and the surprise pullout of Saudi Arabia's central bank in April this year. The changes to the Shariah board, which monitors the IILM's activities and instruments to ensure that they follow Islamic principles, could indicate further delays to the body's plan to begin issuing sukuk. The IILM announced in April that it aimed to make an initial issue worth up to $500 million in the second quarter of this year but has not yet proceeded with the plan, and it has not given a new time frame for it. The body did not issue a statement on the changes to its Shariah board.

Takaful operators in Malaysia are aggressively strategising their operations to ensure profitable growth and taking advantage of the five-year time frame given to composite takaful players to fully comply with the new Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA). Under the Financial Services Act (FSA) and IFSA, which came into force on July 1, composite insurers and takaful players would be, among others, required to split their life and general insurance businesses under separate licences. Takaful Malaysia group managing director Datuk Mohamed Hassan Kamil said his company will be devising and evaluating potential options to achieve more efficient solutions from the capital management and shareholder return perspectives. On whether the Act would take a hit on Takaful Malaysia’s bottomline in view of the split in operations of its family (life) and general businesses, Hassan said although there would be potentially higher cost initially due to start-up costs, in the long run.

Syarikat Takaful Malaysia remains in the hunt for a strategic partner in Indonesia to help expand its distribution network there. The takaful operator was in talks to sell a stake or issue new shares in its Indonesian unit to a local partner last year, but the deal fell through. According to Takaful Malaysia Group managing director Mohammad Hassan Kamil, the group has not given up on its search for a strategic partner and is still actively scouting. Takaful Malayisa needs a strategic partner to put in the capital as well as provide the necessary expertise and people to help run the company. The Indonesian operations currently contribute less than 15% of the group's total revenue and less than 5% of its earnings. However, analysts say that the group's operations in Indonesia are poised for explosive growth of high double-digit rates in the next two to four years.

BIMB Holdings Bhd is likely to conclude the purchase of the 18.5% stake held by Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) in Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd by the end of the month. BIMB owns 51% of Bank Islam, while the remaining 30.5% stake is held by Dubai Financial Group (DFG). LTH, meanwhile, is the ultimate holding company of both BIMB and Bank Islam. Apart from its direct interest in Bank Islam, the pilgrim fund also owns a 51.5% stake in BIMB. There were reportedly no problems in the talks between BIMB and LTH, with pricing done at arm’s length on market benchmarks and in the best interest of the shareholders. The two block of shares are likely to be valued between 1.6 times and 1.8 times price-to-book value. If both talks with DFG and LTH were successful, then BIMB would fully own Bank Islam. An announcement on both stake sales is expectyed to be made by end-July.

Bank Islam Malaysia is exploring opportunities to expand its business in South-East Asia, especially in Indonesia. However, the bank has not identified suitable joint-venture partners to penetrate foreign market, according to its managing director, Datuk Zukri Samat. Bank Islam was earlier reported to have held talks with an Islamic bank in Indonesia to acquire up to 40% stake in the latter. Meanwhile, Zukri said, the bank aimed to expand its operations by opening five branches nationwide by year-end. Bank Islam recently closed a deal regarding a business zakat of RM320,000 to Majlis Agama Islam Johor. Zukri said the zakat payment represented part of the total RM9.2mil for financial year 2012, based on its profit of RM600mil the previous year.

Malaysia's new Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA) gives regulators greater oversight as the country seeks to retain its position as the world's second-largest Islamic Banking market. The new rules will boost protection for depositors by making religious advisers legally accountable for financial products, and liable to steep fines and prison time for wrongdoing. The new rules also include a plan to require Islamic life insurers to separate the life arm from other parts of their business. The regulations also could spur takeovers in the Islamic insurance sector through capital-base provisions that encourage larger participants. The IFSA also gives Malaysia's finance ministry more powers to further scrutinise financial holding companies and non-regulated entities if they pose a risk to financial stability.

Takaful Ikhlas allocates close to RM200,000 to carry out its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes for the whole month of Ramadan. On July 11, the company contributed RM16,000 to the Al-Ikhlas Home of Elderly Care and Treatment in Puchong, Selangor through its Ramadan programme. Besides this contribution, other daily necessities are also provided including medicine, clothing, food as well as other needs to manage the home.Earlier, 66 residents of the home received free health examinations before attending a special religious class by the company's employees besides a get-together session and iftar dinner. Various activities have been planned during Ramadan such as the exclusive cooperation 'Titipan Kasih Harian Metro' at Olak Lempit, 'Bubur Lambuk' programme, 'Salam Sahur', 'Kasih Syawal', health examination for chronic patients and 'Jom Beli Baju Raya', which will be held nationwide.

Syarikat Takaful Malaysia has put all future investments on hold until it gets a clearer picture on the newly-enforced Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA). The takaful player had planned to make its first foray into the overseas property market last year and was vying for high yielding properties in London, the UK. However, with news of sweeping regulatory changes expected to be introduced under the IFSA, Takaful Malaysia is temporarily suspending plans. The firm has to study on how to utilise the required financial holding company as a vehicle for us to purchase foreign properties, according to group managing director Datuk Mohamed Hassan Kamil. As such, Takaful Malaysia is holding back its property purchases for now because later when the company is split into two separate units, it would be difficult with the property investment in the mix. Takaful Malaysia will have about RM335 million for property investment overseas.

Malaysian Rating Corporation (MARC) has affirmed its AAA/MARC-1 financial institution (FI) ratings on Maybank Islamic and AA+IS rating on Maybank Islamic's 1.0 billion ringgit Islamic Subordinated Sukuk (Subordinated Sukuk). The outlook on the ratings is stable. The Subordinated Sukuk, which qualifies as Tier-2 capital for Maybank Islamic, is rated one notch lower than the bank's FI rating in accordance with MARC's notching policy for subordinated debt issued by a AAA-rated bank. Positive rating drivers include Maybank Islamic's leading position as the largest Islamic bank in Malaysia, healthy capitalisation, sustainable earnings, and sound liquidity and funding profile. The ratings also factor in the high likelihood of full financial support from the parent/group Malayan Banking. Constraining the ratings are continued margin compression and fierce competition as well as Maybank Islamic's increased exposure to risks associated with regional expansion.

Franklin Templeton Investments and ECM Libra Financial Group Bhd say they are favouring Malaysian corporate sukuk, which has outperformed as the Federal Reserve considers ending stimulus. Corporate sukuk benefits from a higher degree of scarcity than for government debt. Sales of Malaysian-currency Islamic bonds fell 63 per cent to RM19.9 billion in 2013 from the year-earlier period, worsening the lack of supply. Company bond offers in the Southeast Asian nation, including sukuk and non-Islamic notes, will total RM70 billion to RM85 billion in 2013. However, corporate bond market issuance is expected to remain relatively strong in the second half as the yield curve will likely steepen beyond 2013. Malaysian corporate sukuk are considered less volatile and they provide some yield pick-up over government bonds.

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (BIMB) expects its 'Dream-of-a-Lifetime' campaign, starting today to Sept 30, 2013, to increase the customers' uptake of the Al-Awfar Savings and Investment account. Just as in the previous campaign, the latest promotional initiative also offers Al-Awfar customers the opportunity to win cash prizes of up to RM1 million. To be eligible for the draw, the account holders needed to maintain a minimum balance of RM1,000 in their accounts until Dec 31, 2013. Each RM1,000 deposited will entitle the customers one entry for the prize draw. BIMB said the campaign will be opened to all existing as well as new account holders. To date, the bank has secured approximately RM1.54 billion in deposits through Al-Awfar of which 90 per cent are in Al-Awfar Savings Account.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has extended the deadline for the negotiations among BIMB Holdings Bhd, Dubai Financial Group LLC and Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) over the Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd stake to July 31. Following the extensión of the deadline, a formal approval shall be sought for the proposed acquisition as mutually agreed among the parties. BIMB already owns 51% in Bank Islam. A 30.5% stake is with the Dubai Financial Group (DFG) while 18.5% is held by Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH). BIMB is seeking to purchase LTH's stake in Bank Islam. LTH also owns a 51.5% stake in BIMB. BIMB may have to fork out RM2.7bil to own 100% of its unlisted banking unit Bank Islam.

Sukuk sales in 2013 will pick up speed to beat last year’s record because of the relative resilience of Islamic debt to surging global bond yields, said HSBC Holdings plc and Deutsche Bank AG, the top two underwriters. Issuance will reach US$55 billion to US$60 billion (RM191.88 billion), from US$46.5 billion in 2012. The prospect of the Federal Reserve tapering its monetary stimulus has pushed the average yield on global sukuk up 68 basis points this month to 4.06% on Monday. That compares to an 110 basis point increase to 6.17% for emerging-market debt. The Shariah market has many “buy-and-hold” investors, reducing price swings. The high borrowing costs in the conventional markets contributed heavily to the current growth of Shariah-compliant sales.

At least three Islamic insurers are considering disposing their general takaful business ahead of the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 (IFSA), which comes into force next month. Among companies that are mulling the sale of their general takaful business are HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Prudential BSN Takaful Bhd and Hong Leong MSIG Takaful. The IFSA, which has been enacted but pending implementation, requires existing composite licence of insurers to be separated into two capitalised legal entities, namely life insurance or family takaful and general insurance. It has been reported that the minimum capital for each company will be RM100 million. However, most bank-backed takaful companies' are not willing to pump the additional capital to set up a separate general takaful unit since the non-life segment is a small contributor to their overall business.

The global family of takaful market is projected to grow by over 160% in the next five years to hit US$5 billion (RM16.02 billion), World Takaful Conference CEO David McLean said recently. Though the bottom line profitability on the general takaful front is facing stiff competition, at a global level, the growth in family takaful continues to outweigh the growth observed in both general takaful and conventional life insurance. The contributions from Malaysia make up around 56% of the total global family takaful contributions. Recent reports indicate that the Malaysian takaful industry is expected to grow by 20% per annum for the next two years as consumer acceptance grows and regulatory changes provide a stronger and more stable infrastructure for the Shariah-compliant insurance industry.

RHB Islamic Bank has agreed to offer Lembaga Pengarah Amanah Kebajikan Masjid Negeri Sarawak with a RM300 million Istisna’/Ijarah Term Financing Facility. RHB said the facility, with a financing tenure of 10 years, is intended for the construction of Baitul Makmur II, an 18-storey office/commercial building located in Kuching, Sarawak. Upon completion, Baitul Makmur II will house several Sarawak state ministries. This deal would represent one of RHB Islamic Bank’s single largest financing loans to Sarawak state-related group of companies.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd's (HSBCAT) Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating at 'A-' with Stable Outlook and has simultaneously withdrawn the rating. The rating of HSBCAT is no longer considered by Fitch to be relevant to the agency's coverage. The rating reflects HSBC group's franchise value, distribution channel and management support. HSBC Holdings Plc (AA-/Stable) has a strong ability and willingness to provide it with continuing support. The rating also incorporates HSBCAT's conservative investment mix, healthy capitalisation, and prudent management. The rating is constrained by the takaful operator's modest size, and a limited track record amid a competitive and evolving takaful operating environment. Additionally, the company is challenged to manage its expenses effectively as it builds up its business portfolio.

Malaysia's BIMB Holdings Bhd has received approval from the country's central bank to begin talks with Lembaga Tabung Haji for the latter's 18.5 percent stake in Bank Islam, the country's oldest Islamic bank. BIMB, which presently owns 51 percent of Bank Islam, is also in the process of acquiring the 30.5 percent stake held by Dubai Financial Group. If it acquires both stakes, BIMB will control 100 percent of Bank Islam. Negotiations between BIMB and Lembaga Tabung Haji will be completed by the end of the year. BIMB's chief executive officer Johan Abdullah told reporters in May that the valuation of the Dubai stake was already determined, although a complete proposal had not been filed and the amount has not been disclosed.

In the possible merger between Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) and RHB Capital Bhd (RHBCap), MBSB president and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Zaini Othman said MBSB is capable of taking over RHB Islamic. MBSB itself has more than RM30 billion in assets a shareholders' fund of more than RM2 billion and a market capitalisation of RM5 billion on Bursa Malaysia. One option for MBSB is therefore to take over RHB Islamic's RM4 billion assets. Employees Provident Fund (EPF) chief executive officer Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan had said last month that it will let RHBCap and MBSB decide on possible merger plans. The EPF holds a 44.84 per cent stake in RHBCap and 65.5 per cent share in MBSB. Meanwhile, MBSB chairman Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali said the board of directors is unaware of any plans, is not in talks and has not received any proposals by the shareholders to merge with RHBCap.

Islamic Banking Product Controller

Hong Leong Bank Berhad - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job Description

ONLY MALAYSIANS NEED APPLY

The job-holder will be part of the Product Control Team covering the Global Markets – Islamic Banking Business, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and internal polices of the bank and ensuring Shariah compliance.

Preparation of daily trading and sales P&L reportingfor Government and Corporate securities, P&L attribution and commentarieson the Islamic Treasury trading activities.PL attribution decomposed into Greeks and full revaluation. Liaise closely with traders, quant and market risk on valuation issues. Assist the valuation control team with month end production of independent price verification.