Awards for Excellence 2008: Malaysia

Best bank: Public bank Best investment bank: CIMB Group

Public Bank is Malaysia’s largest bank by market capitalization and, by some distance, the country’s best-performing lender. It offers excellent financial ratios, the steadiest yields in the country and, most pertinently in these turbulent times, a steady institution focused on maintaining growth while minimizing risk.

The lender posted a 23% year-on-year rise in net profit in 2007, to M$2.1 billion ($640 million), on the back of higher operating income and net interest and financing income, coupled with lower loan-loss provisions.