Bank Muamalat expects RM200m PBT

KOTA TINGGI: Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd expects to post a pre-tax
profit of about RM200 million for the 12 months ended Dec 31, 2012,
compared to RM123.5 million in the preceding year.


However, this year's pre-tax profit is expected to dip slightly on
lower retail banking growth folllowing the bank's greater attention on
its other assets, chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Redza Shah Abdul
Wahid told Bernama here after the launch of its Kota Tinggi branch by
chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Munir Abdul Majid.


The branch, which opened on March 26, is the bank's 59th nationwide and eighth in Johor.



The bank plans to open four other branches this year -- one each in
Kemaman, Terengganu and Muar, Johor and probably in Sabah and Sarawak.
It already has three branches in Sabah and five in Sarawak.




It also plans to expand its Ar-Rahnu service over the
next two years. The Islamic pawn broking service is now available at 10
branches including in Kampung Raja, Jertih (Terengganu); Kuantan
(Pahang); Johor Baharu (Johor); Klang and Batu Caves (Selangor) and
Tawau (Sabah).-- Bernama