Get StartedKuala Lumpur, July 2021 – BIMB Investment Management Berhad (“BIMB Investment”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, won the Best Islamic Asset & Fund Manager 2021 in South East Asia award at the Alpha South East Asia Best Islamic Finance Awards 2021 ceremony hosted by Alpha South East Asia, a regional institution investment publication based in Hong Kong. It is the fourth consecutive win by the company. In addition, BIMB Investment won Best Risk-adjusted Returns for ESG Principles Investments Fund Manager 2021.
On receiving the awards, Chairman of BIMB Investment, Mohamed Ridza Mohamed Abdulla, said, “We are thrilled to be recognised for our Shariah and ESG investing in these two awards. Credit is due to the whole team of BIMB Investment, who has done an excellent job navigating these challenging times. We are committed to offering an authentic ESG experience for our investors and, most importantly, ensuring we deliver good, strong and consistent returns. As both investors and stewards of capitals, we are committed to advancing responsible investing principles and creating a more sustainable future. We are excited to continue driving the growth of Shariah-ESG investing practices in Malaysia in the years to come.”
Alpha Southeast Asia’s Best Islamic Finance Awards recognises Islamic finance leaders that have made significant contributions to the industry and have demonstrated growth and innovative capabilities and achievements in Islamic Finance.
Using a proper, robust and informative methodology and adding several additional criteria to existing awards to tighten its eligibility among local banks in Southeast Asia, Alpha South East Asia announced the outcome of the 13th Annual Islamic Finance Awards 2021 for up to 12 awards categories.
Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the regional publication, the outcome of the awards this year is especially significant, considering the challenging operating environment for many Islamic finance houses and financial institutions.
Best Islamic Asset & Fund Manager 2021
Despite challenging market conditions in recent years, BIMB Investment has recorded a staggering average AUM (CAGR) growth, a fair indication of investor confidence in a fiercely competitive Islamic funds management industry, independently managed with international standards. While markets in Malaysia have seen massive swings in recent years, from the mutual funds pull-out to pension reforms to regulatory overhaul, BIMB Investment has outperformed many of its peers in fund performance. This performance demonstrates consistency and an in-depth understanding of a volatile market-moving dynamic.
Best Risk-adjusted Returns (ESG Principal Investments only) Fund Manager 2021
BIMB Investment is a leading emerging Shariah-ESG fund house in Malaysia, especially given the fast-changing landscape in the fund management industry in the country today. By leveraging its multi-local strategy, BIMB Investment has helped numerous retail and institutional investors create a well-diversified investment portfolio for themselves. BIMB Investment can provide unique insights by bringing its wealth of expertise and knowledge about Shariah-compliant opportunities.
BIMB Investment’s Chief Executive Officer, Najmuddin Mohd Lutfi, said, “We are deeply honoured and humbled to receive these two awards. It reflects the continuous support and trust from our investors, business partners, the board of directors, regulators and all the hardworking men and women at BIMB Investment. With more than six (6) years of track record in offering ESG and sustainable investments, we are committed to making ESG and sustainable investing available for all and making Malaysia the World’s Islamic Finance marketplace.”
He continues, “Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has been extraordinary in countless ways. Beyond the deeply felt strains on health and humanity, it is an economic and social issue with generational consequences. From a financial perspective, ESG investing is about how companies manage the environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks that may impact their profitability and long-term viability. The companies that manage these risks well would outperform in the long run. This award highlights a defining moment for environmental, social and governance issues and the greater role Shariah-compliant investing could play in these challenging times.”
BIMB Investment launched Malaysia’s first Global Shariah-ESG Equity fund in 2015, the BIMB Arabesque iGlobal Dividend Fund 1 (BiGDF1). BiGDF1 is one of the largest global Shariah-ESG equity funds in Malaysia, with a total fund size of more than RM700 million. It integrates Shariah principles and ESG value with a systematic and rules-based quantitative investment approach that rebalance the fund’s portfolio daily between equity and cash for sustainable risk-adjusted investment returns.
This year, BIMB Investment launched the BIMB-ARABESQUE Global Shariah Sustainable Equity Fund (“BGSEF”). This global Shariah-ESG equity feeder fund seeks to achieve capital appreciation over a medium to long term period for investors. BGSEF is qualified as a sustainable and responsible investment (“SRI”) fund under the Guidelines on Sustainable and Responsible Investment Funds issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia. BIMB Investment supports the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) initiatives in positioning Malaysia as the world’s Islamic finance marketplace.
In 2018 BIMB Investment launched the World’s First ESG Sukuk Fund and is now one of the most significant Global ESG Sukuk funds in Malaysia, with a total fund size of almost RM130 million. BIMB Investment also offers Asia Pacific Shariah-ESG Equity Fund and Malaysia Shariah-ESG Equity Fund, offering comprehensive Shariah-ESG investment solutions to retail and institutional investors.
In early 2019, BIMB Investment also launched BEST Invest, an online investment mobile application, its first Robo-Intelligence Sustainable Shariah-ESG investing online platform. The app provides convenience and efficiency for individuals, offering a systematic, transparent and structured construction and building of wealth for individuals through investing in Robo-intelligence and big data technology platforms. BEST Invest provides a suite of BIMB Investment’s Shariah-ESG unit trust funds across asset classes, including global equities, Asia Pacific equities, Malaysia equities, Sukuk, and the money market.
BIMB Investment is the only bank-backed Islamic Asset Manager in Southeast Asia to be the signatory of the United Nations-Supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI).
For more information, please contact 1-800-88-1196 or visit www.bimbinvestment.com.my.
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About BIMB Investment Management Berhad
BIMB Investment Management Berhad (“BIMB Investment”) is a leading Shariah-ESG investment management company in Malaysia. A wholly owned subsidiary of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, BIMB Investment is a licensed Islamic fund management company registered with Securities Commission Malaysia. Incorporated on 14 September 1993 and commenced its operations on 20 June 1994, BIMB Investment is headquartered in Malaysia.
Toll free number : 1-800-88-1196
Website : www.bimbinvestment.com.my
Enquiries: Wan Norkhairi Wan Samad
Head, Group Corporate Communications
BIMB Holdings Berhad
Tel: +603-2782 1232
Email: wnorkhairi@bankislam.com.my
Omar Atin
Media Relations & Editorial, Group Corporate Communications
BIMB Holdings Berhad
Tel: +603-2781 2943 / +6019-391 9144
Email: omar@bankislam.com.my
Nurfarah Diyana Firhad
Corporate & Retail Business
BIMB Investment Management Berhad
Tel: +603-2161 2748
Email: nfdiyana@bankislam.com.my