KUALA LUMPUR (July 23): Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK) and Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility (CGIF), a trust fund of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen and deepen local currency capital markets in Asean, China, Japan and South Korea.
The partnership is set to develop innovative financing solutions and capital market instruments, promote sustainable and transition finance.
Other areas of collaboration include mobilising financing for initiatives such as energy transition, building capacity, and supporting issuers in accessing diversified funding sources.
This is not the first time Maybank and CGIF have collaborated, with both organisations having successfully partnered on several landmark bond and sukuk transactions in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Datuk John Chong, the group chief executive officer of global banking at Maybank, said: “With Maybank Investment Banking Group acting as the arranger and lead manager, and CGIF as the guarantee provider, this collaboration builds on a strong track record and reinforces Maybank’s leadership in regional capital markets.”
“As foreign direct investments into Asia continue to accelerate, we see significant opportunities to develop innovative financing solutions, deepen local capital markets and enable businesses to access more diverse funding sources to support their growth,” he added.
Reflecting this optimism, Maybank has raised its full-year 2026 private debt securities issuance forecast to RM160 billion-RM170 billion from RM150 billion following a robust first half of the year.
The stronger outlook is supported by a healthy pipeline of issuance, resilient macroeconomic fundamentals and favourable domestic funding conditions which underscores sustained confidence among issuers and investors.
Maybank also expects credit conditions to remain stable in the second half ending Dec 31, 2026 (2HFY2026), supported by resilient economic fundamentals and continued strength in domestic capital markets.
“Deep and resilient local currency bond markets are essential to financing Asia’s long-term development priorities.
" Our partnership with Maybank brings together complementary capabilities to broaden access to capital, catalyse private sector investment and advance innovative financing solutions for the Asean+3 region,” said Noriko Nasu, the CEO of CGIF.
The MOU was signed at CGIF and Maybank’s joint inaugural forum, "Accelerating Digital Infrastructure Investment Through the Bonds and Sukuk Markets 2026 — Securing Malaysia's Digital Future", attended by 150 policymakers, corporate leaders and industry players in Malaysia.