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Kenanga Group Posts All-Time-High RM1 Billion Revenue and RM155.5 million Operating Profit in FY2024

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
FY2024 VS FY2023

  • Revenue at RM1.0 billion, up by 22.3%

  • Operating Profit at RM155.5 million, up by 88.7%

  • Profit Before Tax (“PBT“) at RM117.2 million, up 33.1%

  • Net Profit at RM95.8 million, up by 31.6%

  • Net Income at RM799.6 million, up by 22.6%

  • Operating Expense at RM644.0 million, up by 13.0%

  • Return on Equity at 8.75%, up by 25.8%

  • Earnings Per Share at 13.18 sen, up by 31.3%

  • Net Equity Trading Investment Income at RM55.8 million, up by 30.8%

  • Overall Market Share at 9.6%, Retail Segment Market Share at 25.3%

  • Asset Under Administration (“AUA“) at RM23.5 billion, up by 8.5%

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group” or “The Group“), Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank, today delivered one of its strongest financial results to date for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 (“FY2024“). The Group posted an all-time high revenue of RM1.0 billion, up 22.3% year-on-year, while operating profit surged 88.7% to RM155.5 million, also its highest yet. PBT rose 33.1% to RM117.2 million, while net profit climbed 31.6% to RM95.8 million.

Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad
Kenanga Group’s strong results were driven by a significant revaluation gain on strategic investments through its Private Equity arm, alongside higher trading and investment income, net brokerage income, and management and performance fees. Increased contributions from associates further bolstered its bottom line, partially offset by credit loss expenses.

Reflecting this performance, the Board of Directors has declared an interim single-tier dividend of 8.00 sen per ordinary share for FY2024.
“2024 was another landmark year for Kenanga Group, delivering one of our strongest financial performances to date, despite market headwinds. This milestone underscores the resilience of our diversified business model and our disciplined approach in capitalising on growth opportunities across all our key business segments,” said Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.
Kenanga Group’s Stockbroking division recorded RM363.6 million in revenue, a 17.9% increase from the previous year. PBT eased to RM15.4 million from RM16.1 million in FY2023, reflecting the impact of credit loss expense incurred during the year as opposed to a writeback in the previous year. Amid heightened market volatility and an evolving competitive landscape, the division successfully maintained its retail market share of 25.3%. The structured warrants business remained a key contributor, reinforcing the Group’s position as Malaysia’s leading issuer, with the highest market share in warrants trading volume.

Its Asset and Wealth Management division posted revenue of RM303.9 million, an increase of 14.9% year-on-year. The revenue was primarily driven from its institutional and retail segments. Despite higher overhead cost, which led to a PBT of RM47.0 million relative to RM58.7 million in 2023, the division’s AUA saw strong growth, closing at RM23.5 billion, an increase of RM1.8 billion year-on-year.

The Group’s Investment Banking division registered a jump in both revenue and PBT for FY2024, with a 10.0% increase in revenue to RM246.4 million, and an 8.4% increase in PBT to RM6.2 million. This was driven by higher investment income from treasury and fee income, buoyed by a vibrant bond market and capital market.

Kenanga Group’s Listed Derivatives business continued its growth streak, delivering yet another year of record performance. Revenue climbed 15.3% to RM27.6 million, while PBT surged 24.1% to RM7.8 million, its highest in over a decade. This sustained upward trajectory was fueled by higher trading commissions and interest income, supported by a surge in trading activity across the listed derivatives market.
“As we enter 2025, our focus remains on growing our core businesses while accelerating digital transformation. By strengthening recurring income streams, optimising cost efficiencies, and expanding product offerings, we are positioning Kenanga Group for sustainable, long-term growth,” added Datuk Chay.
“With a legacy that spans over five decades, we continue to leverage our vast experience from navigating market cycles, and create synergies across our ecosystem to drive innovation, expand market reach, and create greater value for our stakeholders,” concluded Datuk Chay.

Beyond financial performance, Kenanga Group remains committed to responsible and sustainable growth. In 2024, this commitment was reaffirmed with the Group’s continued inclusion on the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, ranking among the Top 8% of Malaysian public-listed companies.

Hashtag: #Kenanga

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))

Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“The Group“) is a leading financial group in Malaysia, offering a wide range of services, including equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending, and trade financing. The Group’s digital innovations include the launch of KDi GO, a wealth-centric app, along with game-changing products such as Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital stockbroking platform, and Kenanga Digital Investing, an A.I. robo-advisor.
Kenanga has garnered multiple awards, including top honours at the Bursa Excellence Awards 2023 and The Edge Malaysia Centurion Club 2023. The Group also secured the Top 20 Overall Excellence and the Niche Cap Excellence Award at the National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards 2024. As one of the highest- scoring constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact, Kenanga continues to drive collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in the financial industry.

For more information, please visit

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Backbase and Synpulse partner to accelerate banking transformation across APAC

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Combining Backbase’s Engagement Banking Platform with Synpulse’s regional expertise to deliver customer-centric solutions

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2025 – Backbase, the leader in engagement banking, today announced a strategic partnership with Synpulse, a premier financial services consulting firm, to accelerate digital transformation for banks across Asia-Pacific.

A unified approach to digital transformation

The partnership provides banks with a comprehensive transformation approach that includes strategy consulting, tailored platform solutions, and localized implementation services. By combining Backbase’s Engagement Banking Platform with Synpulse’s deep regional expertise, financial institutions can confidently pivot toward customer-centricity while addressing specific market needs.

“This partnership strengthens our ecosystem and ensures banks have both the architecture and specialized expertise needed to accelerate their digital transformation,” said Riddhi Dutta, Vice President, ASEAN & South Asia at Backbase. “Synpulse’s proven financial services expertise and understanding of regional markets make them an ideal partner to help banks deliver exceptional customer experiences across all touchpoints.”

“Our combined strengths will enable banks to unlock new growth opportunities and achieve digital transformation goals more effectively,” said Yash Shah, Partner at Synpulse. “Together, we provide financial institutions with the guidance and implementation capabilities needed to execute large-scale transformations with confidence.”

A partnership for banking growth in Asia

The partnership aims to deliver three key advantages for financial institutions in APAC:

  • Enhanced business outcomes: Comprehensive consulting and platform integration services to improve customer acquisition, increase share of wallet, and reduce operational costs
  • Localized expertise: On-ground teams delivering market-specific insights, cultural fluency and technical implementation
  • Full-spectrum banking: Addressing a wide range of banking needs spanning retail, SME, and wealth management

Backbase’s platform, already powering over 150 financial institutions globally, including APAC leaders such as BDO Unibank (Philippines), HDFC Bank (India), and Techcombank (Vietnam), enables banks to unify business lines and modernize around customer needs without vendor lock-in. The company plans to expand its regional footprint to Hong Kong this year.

Hashtag: #Backbase #digitalbanking #engagementbanking #retailbanking #omnichannelbanking #businessbanking #smebanking #corporatebanking


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Synpulse

Synpulse is a global professional services company and a valued partner of leading players in the financial services and related industries. We leverage the proximity to our clients and deep domain expertise to create sustainable value using technology as a business driver. Leveraging our strong network of over 100 ecosystem partners, we accompany our clients throughout their transformation journey – from strategy and development to implementation and management.

With our tech powerhouse, Synpulse8, we collaborate with our clients to co-create digital experiences with innovative technologies and proprietary methods. Synpulse is powered by the passion and commitment of its more than 1000 employees from 21 offices who come from over 30 countries.

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Technology driving positive outlook for Malaysian small businesses

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  • Malaysia’s small businesses lead the region in innovation
  • Younger entrepreneurs dominate small business landscape
  • AI investment on the rise
  • High demand for funding signals continued expansion
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2025 – Increased technology adoption is fuelling strong expansion among Malaysia’s small businesses, with 71 per cent reporting growth in 2024 – the highest in more than a decade – according to CPA Australia’s annual Asia Pacific Small Business Survey.

The growth momentum is expected to continue, with 82 per cent of Malaysian small businesses anticipating growth this year, marking the sector’s highest level of optimism since 2012.

Confidence in Malaysia’s economy is equally strong, with 81 per cent of small businesses expecting the economy to grow in 2025, well above the Asia-Pacific average of 67 per cent.

“Malaysia’s small business sector is powered by dynamic and young entrepreneurs who are quick to embrace digital technologies,” said Yip Kit Weng FCPA, President of CPA Australia Malaysia Division.

E-commerce, new digital payment options and social media are widely embraced, with 92 per cent of Malaysian small business using social media in 2024, including as a key communication and marketing tool. On Malaysian entrepreneurs being ranked highest in innovation, Yip said the result was not surprising given 64 per cent of small business owners are younger than 40.
“Their ability to adapt quickly and invest in digital solutions is driving Malaysia’s competitiveness in the region,” Yip said.

Investment in digital tools by Malaysia’s small businesses continues to rise, with AI investment more than doubling from 11 per cent in 2023 to 27 per cent in 2024. Digital and mobile payments have become the norm, with 78 per cent receiving more than 10 per cent of their sales through platforms such as GrabPay, Touch ‘n Go and Boost.

“It is encouraging to see more small businesses embracing AI, well ahead of the government’s five-year strategic roadmap to accelerate AI adoption,” Yip said.

“Regulatory measures to support ethical practices, along with tailored measures for target groups, will further fast-track AI adoption while enhancing public trust.”

Malaysia’s entrepreneurs are also setting their sights beyond local markets. Despite global economic uncertainty, 55 per cent of small businesses expect an increase in overseas revenue this year.

To support this expansion, demand for external financing was strong. In 2024, 70 per cent of Malaysian small businesses used such funds to support growth. This trend is expected to continue this year, with 85 per cent anticipating the need for external finance.

“Given Malaysia’s strong focus on innovation, technology and exports, this demand is unsurprising,” Yip said.

The biggest challenge for Malaysia’s small businesses remains rising costs, particularly in materials, utilities, rent and taxes. Many have focused on implementing cost-control measures to mitigate these pressures.

“The strong economic environment, coupled with government initiatives to increase competitiveness and investor confidence, is helping to create a positive business climate for small businesses,” Yip said.

Hashtag: #CPAAustralia #SmallBusinesses #SmallBusinessSurvey #APAC #MalaysiaSmallBusiness






The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

CPA Australia

CPA Australia is one of the world’s largest professional accounting bodies, with more than 175,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 21,000 members in Southeast Asia. CPA Australia has been operating in Malaysia since 1956, establishing an office in 1994. We provide education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local and global issues affecting the accounting profession and the public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at cpaaustralia.com.au

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1win Brings Colors to India with a Holi Celebration

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HYDERABAD, INDIA –
Holi with 1win is all about bright colors, happiness, and love!

Holi, a celebration of spring’s arrival and the triumph of good over evil, unites people, encouraging them to set aside their differences and share the joy of throwing bright powders up into the air. Guided by the festive spirit, 1win volunteers traveled across India, distributing gifts to the country’s most densely populated neighborhoods and communities, transforming bustling streets into colorful celebrations. The initiative also received enthusiastic support from Indian bloggers and media personalities, amplifying its reach.

Influencers Kanika Sharma and Dhirendra Chauhan Rajput, who participated in 1win’s charitable donations, shared their thoughts on the celebration, “Holi is not just about playing; it is about giving. This time, we thought, why not celebrate Holi with those around us who need a little color of happiness in their lives? Even a small effort can create a big joy. Because we care, we share.”

Through this initiative, 1win helped make Holi more inclusive, enabling thousands to take part in the celebration and share the festive spirit. As the Holi colors settle, the spirit of togetherness and generosity fostered by 1win will continue to inspire.

For more details about the project, visit www.1win.charity.
Hashtag: #1win #1winShares #WeCareWeShare #CSR #Charity



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About 1win Charity

is the philanthropic branch of 1win, committed to sustainability and community development. Guided by the motto ‘We Care. We Share’, it supports underserved communities around the world and focuses on humanitarian aid, recycling, and healthcare initiatives. Through strategic collaboration with key opinion leaders and NGOs, 1win.Charity drives meaningful change.

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