Amid global uncertainty, investors are re-calibrating — seeking safe harbours, broader diversification and access to higher growth markets. Maybank is doubling down to meet this shifting demand. Malaysia offers stability with its strong rule of law and governance in the financial markets, while ASEAN remains on the radar to attract capital as a relatively fast-growing, diverse and peaceful region. Maybank Securities Solutions (MSS) is well-positioned to serve both domestic and international clients, backed by the strengths of Maybank Group — Malaysia’s largest bank and most valuable listed company — with a deep presence in all 10 ASEAN markets. Ahmad Shabeer Mohamed Thaheer, head of business development at MSS said, “With our local roots and ASEAN connections, underpinned by end-to-end offerings, we have fostered enduring client relationships. Newer clients, especially global custodians, are increasingly drawn to MSS’s ability to seamlessly support cross-border transactions.” As of 31 December 2024, Maybank’s assets under custody and management exceeded $50 billion — a year-on-year growth of over 9%. Custody revenue followed in tandem, and MSS now commands over 5% of Malaysia’s custody market by assets. In 2024, transaction volumes surged by 24% for local and 14% for foreign transactions processed compared to the previous year. This momentum was fuelled by client acquisition — particularly in the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre — alongside rising mandates from institutional investors. Last year, Malaysia was one of ASEAN’s top-performing equity markets, while MSS accelerated enhancements to its eCustody platform. Digital innovation and operational resilience A major pillar of MSS’ strategy over the past year has been sustained investment in technology and operational enhancements. Digital innovation is critical not only for operational efficiency but also for meeting the rising expectations of institutional clients for faster, more transparent and more secure custody services. A key milestone was the enhancement of the bank’s proprietary digital platform, eCustody. The platform was upgraded with new features designed to improve user experience, increase automation and enhance reporting capabilities. Clients can now access real-time reporting on their securities holdings, transaction statuses and corporate actions through a single integrated interface. This enables faster decision-making and reduces reliance on manual processes. Thaheer said, “Despite a challenging global market this year, we remain committed in stepping up our game, and winning more global mandates. From offering integrated dashboards and process automation, we have boosted straight-through-processing (STP) rates, cut operational risks and enabled faster client decision-making.” “Our platform evolves with client feedback and market needs, ensuring MSS stays responsive and ahead. Enhanced analytics and customisation features are slated for the next phase.” Operational resilience is another key area for MSS. The bank invested in back-office systems, cybersecurity and business continuity. Regulatory compliance was also emphasised, with the custody team collaborating closely with relevant departments. These efforts ensure clients' assets are secure and managed in a compliant environment. Looking ahead, MSS views digital innovation as an ongoing process. It plans to enhance eCustody further, adding analytics tools and custom reporting features. The ultimate aim is to offer clients an intuitive, efficient and transparent custody service, in line with the bank's broader value - driven innovation strategy. Doubling down on global custody business MSS is seeking to increase flow from private funds, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, and aims to capture a greater share of sub-custody mandates from global custodians seeking a safe haven region and reliable local partners. To support its growing business, MSS has transformed its client service model to focus on building long-term partnerships based on deep understanding rather than transactional relationships. It is offering a single point of contact to ensure responsive support and quicker issue resolution. This strengthens accountability and reinforces trust, which Thaheer described as "non-negotiable in the custody business." “Our strategy is to consistently deliver value through superior service, transparency and responsiveness rather than price. We have been strengthening our position in terms of infrastructure, processes and talent. Confidently, we are up for the challenge of swimming with bigger names to win global clients in an ultra-competitive market,” Thaheer said. Maybank’s vision is to build a future-ready custody franchise that flexibly adapts to change, and supports client growth and ability to manage risks in an increasingly complex and digital financial landscape. Thaheer said, “At its core, Maybank’s custody strategy is anchored in trust, reliability and customer-centricity—the key drivers behind the bank’s growing leadership in ASEAN.”
