This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on October 2, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has named Datin Ami Moris as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of its investment banking arm, Maybank Kim Eng Group (MKE).

Ami, formerly MKE chief operating officer since 2015, replaces Datuk John Chong Eng Guan, who has become Maybank community financial services CEO, the banking group said in a statement yesterday.

Concurrently, Chong also relinquished his position as CEO for MKE’s Malaysian unit, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB), with the role taken over by his deputy Fad’l Mohamed.

Ami joined Maybank IB in 2009 as head of equity markets, responsible for institutional and retail businesses. Prior to that, she was with Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd from 2001.

“Ami played a leading role in the successful acquisition, integration and subsequent management of Singapore-based Kim Eng Holdings, which transformed Maybank IB from a single-market entity into one of Asean’s leading investment banks,” said Maybank.

Fad’l joined Maybank IB as deputy CEO in March 2015. Prior to that, the former lawyer was managing director for over 10 years in corporate financial advisory firm Maestro Capital Sdn Bhd, of which he was also a founder.

“He was part of the team under Datuk John Chong’s leadership that was successfully recognised as Malaysia’s best investment bank for the last four consecutive years [according to Euromoney Awards for Excellence],” said Maybank.

Maybank president and group CEO Datuk Abdul Farid Alias said the appointments underscored the depth of talents “within the Maybank family”.

“I am confident that Ami and Fad’l — experienced practitioners with decades of capital markets know-how — are well-equipped to take Maybank Kim Eng to new heights and maintain its position as Asean’s pre-eminent investment bank,” he said.