Bond market trailblazers recognised at 18th RAM League Awards

Published on 15 Dec 2021.

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RAM Rating Services Berhad (RAM Ratings) presented a total of 14 RAM League Awards (RLA) in four categories this year. The RLA acknowledges the work of the most influential and outstanding financial institutions that are thought leaders, innovators and visionaries in the Malaysian bond and sukuk market. RAM Group Chief Executive Officer Chris Lee presented the awards to the winners over the past two weeks. The 18th RLA was held privately with respective winners, in keeping with health and safety protocol. 

Maybank Investment Bank Berhad secured four awards, taking pole position in three categories under RAM’s league tables for corporate bonds and sukuk in terms of programme size (RM16.3 bil) as well as number of sukuk issues. Maybank Investment also came in second for number of corporate bond issues. Another big winner in terms of number of awards was RHB Investment Bank Berhad which ranked second in all four categories. RHB Investment secured a respective RM12.4 bil and RM11.6 bil of corporate bonds and sukuk. 

The other first place winner was CIMB Investment Bank Berhad which clinched top position for number of corporate bond issues. CIMB Investment was second for number of sukuk issues. Other notable winners were Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad, both coming in third in two categories. Bank Islam arranged RM10 bil in corporate bonds and sukuk deals in 2020 while Hong Leong Investment was credited with arranging three corporate bond deals and two sukuk deals. 

“We congratulate all winners and record our thanks to these thought leaders, lead arrangers and investors for their continued support,” Lee said. 

RAM Ratings, the leading credit rating agency in Malaysia, has rated bond and sukuk issues valued at about USD450 billion since its inception in 1990. Out of the total 36 rated debt issues in 2020, totalling RM92.4 billion, RAM published the ratings of 22 debt issues, with an aggregate value of RM66.7 billion. 

We anticipate the corporate bond market to chart a steady course through the rest of 2021 as disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic subside and investor appetite continues to recover. Growth will be sustained by private refinancing initiatives, funding for infrastructure projects and further capital augmentation plans of financial institutions. Based on the existing pipeline, we expect gross corporate bond issuances to reach RM110 bil-RM120 bil in 2022. 

 

 

           

Media contacts
Firhan Yasser
(603) 3385 2526
firhan@ram.com.my

Sakinah Arifin
(603) 3385 2505
sakinah@ram.com.my

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