Malaysia


Malaysia’s central bank unveils fintech sandbox

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the nation’s central bank, has approved four fintech start-ups to operate within its regulatory sandbox. As Banking Technology reported last month, BNM called out to fintech start-ups for ideas to improve the financial services sector. The bank’s Financial Technology Enabler Group (FTEG) announced it was open to concepts through its “Fintech […]

Malaysia’s central bank seeks fintech start-ups

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the nation’s central bank, is calling out to fintech start-ups for ideas to improve the financial services sector. The bank’s Financial Technology Enabler Group (FTEG) is now open to concepts through its “Fintech Hacks” initiative which aims to “identify pain points in the delivery and consumption of financial services, and solicit […]

Asia’s first Shariah-compliant robo-advisor to launch

Algebra, Asia’s “first Shariah-compliant robo-advisor”, will be launched this December by Malaysia-based Farringdon Group Private Wealth Managers. It will be open to investors from across the globe, with a minimum investment of $200 per month. Funds will follow basic Islamic principles. For example, no stocks may derive income from gambling, alcohol, tobacco, pork products, adult […]

Standard Chartered opens new Malaysian office

Standard Chartered Bank, has opened a Global Collective Intelligence and Command Centre at Technology Park Malaysia, which aims to develop new technology to improve banking services. The centre is staffed with software engineers, operations specialists and service partners, co-located in a 33,000 square feet fully-digitised and secured environment. “Defining and implementing our digital aspiration is a […]

The rise of ‘halal hubs’ represents an Islamic finance opportunity

An interesting trend is developing in the halal sector: regional hubs are developing in places that have some local demand but not the size that would be significant markets on their own. Think of Malaysia (the largest) or Dubai or tiny Brunei. Each sees the halal sector as being strategic to their economic growth, and for Dubai and Brunei at least, as key aspects of their economic diversification. This trend has the potential to support global growth in the Islamic economy as well as SME development but need a lot of (costly) infrastructure put in place to open up the international side to SMEs

CCP proliferation clouds Asian OTC derivatives markets reform

Most emerging Asian countries have developed or are developing their own CCPs and trade repositories in response to global reforms of OTC derivatives markets – but proliferation of CCPs is a concern, according to new research by analyst firm Celent.

AmBank Malaysia turns on Murex risk tools

Malaysia’s AmBank has installed a risk management tool from Murex, which it says will help the bank to meet regulatory and reporting requirements as well as improve its internal oversight.