KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 11): Maybank Investment Bank has been named Malaysia’s best investment bank by Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2020 on the back of several notable deals, including a sustainable and responsible investment-themed sukuk.

This makes it the fifth time that Maybank IB has bagged this award since its inception.

“Maybank is a worthy winner of the best investment bank award, courtesy of its strength in debt capital markets and its peerless performance in advisory. The bank completed eight M&A deals during the awards period, according to Dealogic, with a combined value of US$2.83 billion, enabling it to outpace and outflank its rivals,” said Maybank IB in a statement, citing Euromoney’s publication.

Notable deals concluded by Maybank IB in 2019, which was the period under review, included YTL Cement Bhd’s US$757 million acquisition of Lafarge Malaysia Bhd in June 2019, with Maybank IB advising the Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate.

In its publication, Euromoney also highlighted Maybank IB’s roles as a joint lead manager on DRB Hicom Bhd’s RM1.5 billion sukuk, and sole bookrunner on Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s RM1 billion sukuk — the largest of its kind to date in the domestic metals and mining sector.

“In a sign of the bank’s continued push into sustainable finance, Maybank IB helped Cypark Resources [Bhd] print a RM550 million socially responsible investment-themed sukuk, with the proceeds being used to finance solar power projects across the country,” Euromoney was quoted as saying.

Maybank IB’s chief executive officer Fad’l Mohamed said: “We are honoured to be recognised as Malaysia's best investment bank by Euromoney for the fifth time since the inception of the awards.”

“This award is a testament to the strength of the Maybank IB team, whose innovation and hard work continue to make us one of ASEAN’s leaders. We remain committed to staying ahead of the curve despite the challenging global economic environment, offering our clients responsive, tailor-made solutions while keeping sustainability at the top of our agenda,” he added.

Maybank IB had earned the same accolade by Euromoney from 2015 to 2018. It also recently won the Best Institutional Equities Participating Organisation - Investment Bank at The Bursa Excellence Awards 2020 and joint first place for Lead Manager by Number of Issues by RAM Lead Managers League Tables for 2019.