KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Islamic Bank Bhd (HLISB) expects strong demand in the Islamic wealth management segment for financial year 2026 (FY26), driven by growing consumer interest in syariah-compliant savings, protection and investment solutions.
CEO Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi said HLISB – which contributed 18.9% to Hong Leong Bank’s net income and 14.5% to group profit before tax in Q1 FY26 – is shifting its strategic focus towards Islamic wealth management as it enters its next phase of growth.
“When we talk about our propositions and our commitment to supporting wealth management, the mandate before us is substantial. As I mentioned, it goes beyond individual clients – it also encompasses entrepreneurs and businesses. Every stage of their journey has implications for Islamic wealth management,” she told reporters at HLISB’s 20th Anniversary celebration and media briefing today.
She added that the bank is strengthening its reach across the mass, affluent and high-net-worth segments.
“Our target segment is clear. We cover all segments – mass, affluent and high net worth – and we have strategies tailored for each,” she said.
Dafinah shared that HLISB will introduce new and enhanced wealth solutions next year as part of its refreshed strategic direction.
The upcoming offerings will be anchored on its five-pillar Islamic wealth management framework, covering wealth creation, accumulation, preservation, purification and distribution.
“We will be looking at more developments next year, ahead of Hari Raya,” she said.
Dafinah highlighted that Malaysia’s low takaful penetration rate of 25% underscores gaps in financial resilience, as many households still lack adequate protection amid mounting economic pressures.
“Today, many people remain under-protected. HLISB plans to leverage the group’s takaful arm, Hong Leong MSIG Takaful, to strengthen protection solutions for our customers.”She said HLISB, as a key contributor within the Hong Leong Financial Group, will continue to grow across retail banking, SME financing and wealth management throughout FY26.
“We operate within a leveraged banking model, drawing on the parent bank’s distribution and network. What is most important is that our products are syariah-compliant and guided by strong syariah governance,” she added.
Hong Leong Bank group managing director and CEO Kevin Lam said HLISB continues to serve as a core growth engine for the group.
“This trajectory is evident in our Q1 FY26 results announced last week, where financing assets expanded 7.8% year-on-year and now account for 23.4% of HLB’s total financing. HLISB recorded a PBT (profit before tax) of RM197 million, contributing 14.5% to the group’s overall performance for the period.”
He emphasised that Islamic banking is not merely an alternative to conventional banking, but a value-based proposition that complements it. “Our renewed focus blends the wisdom of maturity with the agility of a startup to drive sustainable wealth for our customers.”
HLISB signed a memorandum of understanding with University College of MAIWP International to expand its waqaf initiatives.
Focused on healthcare needs, the partnership will channel customer contributions towards medical equipment and patient care, transforming personal success into social impact by recognising community well-being as part of holistic wealth.
For retail customers, HLISB continues to reward disciplined financial behaviour through the HLB Meezani Account-i, a syariah-compliant unrestricted investment account. Designed to support wealth creation, the account rewards more than 23,000 customers with daily, weekly, quarterly and annual returns, while offering flexible access to funds.
