AMMB Holdings (which trades as AmBank Group) is currently the fifth largest banking group in Malaysia, with more than 200 branches and their outlets (including subsidiaries and associates), providing individuals and businesses with a range of financial services

Financial services

Financial services refer to services provided by the finance industry. The finance industry encompasses a broad range of organizations that deal with the management of money. Among these organizations are credit unions, banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, consumer finance companies,...

 and products.

AmBank Group was founded in 1975 as Arab-Malaysian Development Bank, by Merchant Banking pioneer, Hussain Najadi

Hussain Najadi

Hussain Najadi is an international banker born in Bahrain. He is the Chairman & CEO of AIAK Group,, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.-Banking career:...

 via his Holding company AIAK (Arab Investments for Asia Kuwait). He brought the bank public via the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) in 1981.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim

Azman Hashim

Tan Sri Dato' Azman Hashim is one of the richest people in Malaysia and his net worth is estimated by Forbes to be US$600 million , making him the 9th richest person in Malaysia .-Early life:...

, the chairman, controls about one-third of AMMB Holdings. In 2006, Amcorp's interest in AMMB was reduced to 18.8% from 32.9% after the Tan Sri Azman sold 300 million shares to ANZ Group.

History

1976

• The Group commenced operations on 1 April 1976 as a joint venture comprising Arab
  Arab
  Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
  
   and Malaysian shareholders.

1977

• The Group acquired a 70.0% shareholding in Malaysian Industrial Finance Company Limited (“MIFCL”), which was later renamed Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad (“AMFB”).

1980

• AMMB co-lead managed the USD200.0 million, 12-Year Syndicated Term Loan for the Government of Malaysia.
• AMMB initiated the formation of Malaysian Kuwaiti Investment Company Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Perbadanan Nasional Berhad and Kuwait Real Estate Investment Consortium and Public Institution for Social Security, Kuwait
  Kuwait
  The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
  
  .
• AMMB acted as Adviser to Kuwait Real Estate Investment Consortium, Singapore.
• AMFB became the first private sector institution in Malaysia to issue public bonds – RM20.0 million 8.5% Guaranteed Bonds 1987, listed on the KLSE. The Bonds, guaranteed by the Bank, marked a new chapter in the history of private sector fund raising in the capital markets.

1982

• Y Bhg Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Hashim acquired 100.0% shareholding in the Group.
• The Group acquired the remaining 30.0% shareholding of AMFB, making it a wholly owned finance company subsidiary.

1983

• The Group established a credit and leasing company, Arab-Malaysian Credit Berhad.

1984

• The Group launched the first venture capital company to undertake private equity investments – Malaysian Ventures Berhad.
• The Group arranged the first leveraged lease facility in the country for Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad – TV3.
• AMMB completed its Government assigned study on the privatisation of Jabatan Telekom.
• The Group acquired Arab-Malaysian Insurance Berhad, a general insurance company formerly known as Teguh Insurance Company Sdn Bhd.

1985

• The Group acquired Perima Assurance Berhad, a life insurance company. Both the life and general insurance companies were later merged in 1987, holding composite insurance licences, and the entity’s name changed to Arab-Malaysian Eagle Assurance Berhad (now known as AmAssurance Berhad).

1986

• The Group acquired a stockbroking firm, Kris Securities Sdn Bhd, later renamed as AmSecurities Sdn Bhd.
• The Group relocated to its corporate headquarters at Jalan Raja Chulan.
• In December 1986, Antah Holdings Berhad and the Tokai Bank Limited, Japan acquired 20.0% shareholding each in the Group.
• Launched Arab-Malaysian Unit Trusts Berhad, to manage unit trust funds.

1987

• On 22 January 1987, AMMB launched the first unit trust to invest 90.0% in Malaysian Government securities, called the Arab-Malaysian Gilts
  Gilts
  Gilts are bonds issued by certain national governments. The term is of British origin, and originally referred to the debt securities issued by the Bank of England, which had a gilt edge. Hence, they are called gilt-edged securities, or gilts for short. The term is also sometimes used in Ireland...
  
  , to provide tax-exempt income to individual investors on their short term funds.
• In July, AMMB launched the AMIGOS (Arab-Malaysian Individuals’ Government Securities) programme to enable retail investors to invest in government securities.
• AMMB sponsored the establishment of The Malaysia Fund Inc, a close ended investment fund listed on the New York Stock Exchange
  New York Stock Exchange
  The New York Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located at 11 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. It is by far the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at 13.39 trillion as of Dec 2010...
  
  , to invest in equities of Malaysian companies listed on the KLSE. The Malaysia Fund raised USD87.0 million.

1988

• AMMB became the first merchant bank to be listed on the KLSE
  Bursa Malaysia
  Bursa Malaysia is an exchange holding company approved under Section 15 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. It operates a fully integrated exchange, offering the complete range of exchange-related services including trading, clearing, settlement and depository services.- History :Bursa...
  
  .
• AMMB was appointed as Adviser to the Government to formulate the National Privatisation Masterplan.
• AMMB launched the first equity unit trust fund, called the Arab-Malaysian First Fund.

1989

• On 21 April 1989, AMMB together with the Nikko Securities Co. Ltd Tokyo and the International Finance Corporation, Washington launched a US Dollar denominated unit trust fund, The Malaysia Growth Fund, aimed primarily at Japanese investors.
• On 28 September 1989, the Arab-Malaysian Property Trust became the first property trust to be listed on the KLSE.

1990

• AMMB was appointed as Adviser and Managing Underwriter for the flotation of Telekom Malaysia
  Telekom Malaysia
  Telekom Malaysia Berhad , DBA TM, is the largest integrated solutions provider in Malaysia, and one of Asia's leading communications companies, with a market capitalisation of RM13.9 billion and a workforce of 26,629 employees. Established as the Telecommunications Department of Malaya in 1946, it...
  
   Berhad.
• AMFB acquired First Malaysia Finance Berhad.

1991

• In July 1991, the Group acquired a 49.0% equity stake in Fraser International Pte Ltd, the holding company of Fraser Securities, Singapore.
• AMMB, in collaboration with The Nikko Securities Co. Ltd. in Japan, sponsored the establishment of Malaysia Fund (Labuan), the first offshore unit trust fund in the Federal Territory of Labuan.
• Incorporation of AMMB Holdings Berhad, as the vehicle for the implementation of a corporate restructuring scheme. Pursuant to the restructuring scheme, AMMB Holdings Berhad became the holding company of the Arab-Malaysian Banking Group, and assumed the listing status of AMMB.
• Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad, the Group’s finance company, was listed on the KLSE.
• Establishment of AMMB Labuan (L) Ltd to provide offshore funds management.

1992

• AMMB Holdings Berhad won the Asian Management Award for Financial Management from Asian Institute of Management.

1993

• AMMB launched Tabung Ittikal Arab- Malaysian, the first Islamic Unit Trust Fund on 12 January 1993.
• AMMB was Co-Manager of General Electric Corporation’s USD300.0 million Dragon Bonds Issue.
• AMMB acted as Manager and Arranger for the RM240.0 million Syndicated Credit Facility for the construction of Menara Kuala Lumpur.

1994

• On 1 August 1994, the Group ventured into commercial banking with the acquisition of the Malaysian operations of Security Pacific Asian Bank Limited from Bank of America (Asia) Limited. Commencement of commercial banking operations under Arab-Malaysian Bank Berhad.

1995

• On 1 April 1995, AMMB International (L) Ltd commenced offshore banking operations in Labuan
  Labuan
  Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of the state of Sabah. Labuan's capital is Victoria and is best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990 as well as being an offshore support...
  
  , the first merchant bank to offer offshore banking services.
• AMMB Futures Sdn Bhd commenced futures broking business.

1996

• AMMB Holdings Berhad’s annual report won the ‘Overall Award for the Most Outstanding Annual Report’ for six consecutive years from 1991 to 1996 in the NACRA competition.
• Macquarie Bank Limited
  Macquarie Group
  Macquarie Group Limited is a global investment banking and diversified financial services group, providing banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds management services to institutional, corporate and retail clients and counterparties around the world...
  
  , Australia acquired 30.0% shareholding in AMMB Futures Sdn Bhd.
• Macquarie Bank Limited, Australia acquired 30.0% shareholding in AMMB Asset Management Sdn Bhd and Arab-Malaysian Unit Trusts Berhad.
• The 1996 Far Eastern Economic Review Survey of Asia’s 200 Leading Companies ranked AMMB first in the overall category of “Innovative in Responding to Customer Needs” and third in terms of “Overall Leadership”.
• Visa International awarded the AmBank Al-Taslif VISA Card the “1996 Member Excellence Award for the Most Creative Card Programme in Asia”.

1997

• AMMB Securities (HK) Limited commenced stock broking operations in Hong Kong.
• The Group’s website was awarded the ‘Internet Website of the Year’ for 1997 by the Association of Computer Industry Malaysia (“PIKOM”).

1998

• AMFB acquired the assets and liabilities of Abrar Finance Berhad, in line with the Government’s plan to consolidate the industry.
• AMMB received ‘Derivatives OTC National Award’ from Malaysian Monetary Exchange Berhad.

2000

• CFO Asia selected AMMB Holdings Bhd Annual Report FY 2000, as one of the top three annual reports in Malaysia.

Recent

2001

• AMFB acquired MBf Finance Berhad.
• AmBank and AMFB together with the State Government of Selangor Darul Ehsan, launched Tabung Perumahan Ehsan, a special housing loan scheme for the lower income group in the State.

2002

• Merger of Arab-Malaysian Finance Berhad and MBf Finance Berhad, following the vesting of the assets and liabilities of AMFB into MBf Finance Berhad. MBf Finance Berhad changed its name to AmFinance Berhad. AMFB was converted into a holding company.
• Re-branding and changing of the name from “Arab-Malaysian Banking Group” to “AmBank Group” with new Group corporate colours of vibrant red, representing prosperity and good fortune and bright yellow symbolizing commitment and unity – reflecting our new corporate identity and herald the transformation towards a more customer-centric organisation.

2003

• Bangunan AmFinance, now known as Menara AmBank, was officially launched by the then Prime Minister, Y A Bhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

2005

• Completed privatisation of AMFB Holdings Berhad.
• Listed AmInvestment Group Berhad (“AIGB”) on Bursa Malaysia on 18 May 2005, the Group’s investment banking operations.
• On 1 June 2005, the merger of AmBank and AmFinance took place to create AmBank (M) Berhad, the sixth largest domestic bank in the country.

2006

• In January 2006, AmPrivate Equity, a private equity fund, was launched.
• On 10 March 2006, Insurance Australia Group Limited acquired 30.0% shareholding in AmAssurance Berhad.
• On 20 April 2006, Am ARA REIT Managers Sdn Bhd was incorporated with AIGB holding 70.0% equity and ARA Asset Management (Malaysia) Limited 30.0%, to manage the AmFIRST REIT to be listed on Bursa Malaysia.
• On 1 June 2006, AmIslamic Bank commenced operations, with the vesting of the Islamic assets and liabilities of AmBank (M) Berhad into a separate subsidiary company.
• On 21 December 2006, AmFIRST REIT listed on Bursa Malaysia
  Bursa Malaysia
  Bursa Malaysia is an exchange holding company approved under Section 15 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. It operates a fully integrated exchange, offering the complete range of exchange-related services including trading, clearing, settlement and depository services.- History :Bursa...
  
  .
• The AmInvestment Group was awarded seven RAM League Awards by Rating Agency Malaysia for its outstanding achievements in the domestic bond market.

2007

• The AmBank Group completed the integration exercise of AmSecurities Sdn Bhd into AmInvestment Bank on 3 March 2007. The AmInvestment Bank began operating as a full-fledged investment bank effective 5 March 2007, offering both merchant banking and stockbroking services.
• On 18 May 2007, AmBank Group commemorated the entry of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited as its strategic partner and major investor.
• On 19 June 2007, AMMB Holdings Berhad proposed the privatisation of AIGB and the proposed rights issue of up to 326,887,241 new shares, on the basis of one (1) new share for every eight (8) existing ordinary shares and every eight (8) Converting Preference Share in the company at an issue price of RM3.40 per share.
• The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between AmInvestment Bank Berhad and Woori Investment & Securities Co Ltd
  Woori Financial Group
  Woori Financial Group is a Seoul-based banking and financial services holdings company and is the largest bank in South Korea.Woori has had a short history as a financial institution. It was formed in 2001 from the forced merger of 4 predecessor commercial banks and an investment bank...
  
  , on 29 November 2007 to promote the parties mutual interests for cooperation in the investment banking business.

2008

• Completed the AMMB Holdings Berhad (“AMMB”) rights issue and privatization
  Privatization
  Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
  
   of AIGB on 15 January 2008, with AIGB effectively becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AMMB.
• Completed the transfer of the Fund Based Activities of AmInvestment Bank to AmBank (M) Berhad and AmIslamic

Bank Berhad on 12 April 2008 as part of AMMB’s internal corporate restructuring post the AIGB privatisation.

• Establishment of AmG Insurance Berhad to facilitate the separation of the composite insurance business of AmAssurance Berhad into general insurance and life insurance business.
• Malaysian Ventures Management Incorporated Sdn Bhd (“MVMI”), the private equity fund management subsidiary of AMMB, entered into a joint venture agreement with Konzen Capital Pte Ltd, a member of Konzen Group, to manage a USD320 million Pioneering Water Fund in Asia.
• AmBank and ANZ enter into a technical services agreement to establish the AmBank Group foreign exchange, interest rate and commodities derivatives business.
• Islamic Stockbroking (window service) launched under the brand of AmIslamic, the universal brand of Islamic products and services across all subsidiaries of the AmBank Group.
• On 9 December 2008, Friends Provident
  Friends Provident
  Friends Provident was an organisation offering life insurance based in the United Kingdom. It was founded as a mutual Friendly Society for Quakers, although it was demutualised in 2001 and became a publicly listed company, no longer linked with the Religious Society of Friends...
  
   plc acquired 30.0% stake in AmLife Insurance Berhad (formerly known as AmAssurance Berhad).
• IAG increased its stakeholding in AmG Insurance Berhad from 30.0% to 49.0%.

2009

• AmIslamic Funds Management Sdn Bhd obtains license for Islamic funds management from the Securities Commission to carry out management of offshore and domestic Islamic financial instruments for institutional and retail investors.
• AmCapital (B) Sdn Bhd officially opened on 11 May 2009, bringing expertise in funds management, Islamic finance and investment advisory to Brunei Darussalam.

External links

• AmBank Group