Insurance technology or insurtech strives to innovate the insurance business of risk management. As a subset of fintech, insurtech uses big data to form a precise risk profile of the subject that is being covered. According to Maybank Ageas CEO Kamaludin Ahmad, one example is the telematics system in vehicle-monitoring. He said the intended market would include logistics companies, delivery companies and even small-medium enterprises with only three to five vehicles. Kamaludin believes insurtech can be sold and will be beneficial to people. However, it requires a change of mindset. Maybank Ageas and its household brand Etiqa Takaful are dominating the market share, capturing over half the total insurance and takaful market. Some argue that the size of the Maybank-Etiqa insurance is too big, to the extent of being deemed a monopoly. Kamaludin thinks Maybank is far from monopolising anything, the focus is not on pushing sales, but on being the best in the sector.
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has appointed Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsudin as chairman of Maybank Investment Bank and Datuk R Karunakaran as Chairman of Etiqa Insurance Bhd (EIB) and Etiqa Takaful Bhd (ETB). Maybank said the changes in chairmanship of its key subsidiaries followed the retirement of some directors. Mohaiyani is currently a director of Maybank. She is also the chairman of Maybank Asset Management Group Bhd and Maybank Asset Management Sdn Bhd. Karunakaran is a director of Maybank and currently sits on the boards of Maybank (Cambodia) Plc, and others. In addition, he is a director of Bursa Malaysia Bhd, IOI Corporation Bhd and Integrated Logistics Bhd.
Etiqa Takaful Bhd, a unit of Malayan Banking, plans to issue 300 million ringgit ($92.2 million) in sukuk as early as this month, its chief executive Ahmad Rizlan Azman said. Last month, Etiqa Takaful set up its maiden sukuk programme, rated AA1 by RAM ratings, designed to qualify as Tier 2 capital in the company's balance sheet. The sukuk would be a one-off transaction classified as Etiqa's liabilities, carrying a 10-year tenor and a non-call provision in the first five years, said Azman. Etiqa would use a musharaka structure and the proceeds of the sukuk would be used for general business operations, working capital and other purposes. Maybank Investment Bank is the advisor for the sukuk.
Etiqa Takaful Bhd, Malaysia's largest Islamic insurance provider and a unit of Malayan Banking Bhd, will issue a sukuk to raise 300 million Malaysian ringgit ($91.39 million). Etiqa is supported by a strong liquidity position although its family takaful business has seen poor growth due to unattractive pricing and a limited portfolio.