Principal Asset Management Berhad secured two distinguished accolades at the Asia Asset Management (AAM) Best of the Best Awards 2026 under the Malaysia Country Awards category.
Principal Asset Management Berhad Marks Dual Recognition at the Asia Asset Management Best of the Best Awards 2026, Underscoring its Strategic Alliance with CIMB
- Principal Asset Management Berhad secured two distinguished accolades at the Asia Asset Management (AAM) Best of the Best Awards 2026 under the Malaysia Country Awards category.
- Recognised for Fund Launch of the Year – Signature Dynamic Income Fund (SDIF) and Best Retail Asset Manager.
- Awards underscore Principal’s leadership in Southeast Asia’s asset management industry and its long-standing partnership with CIMB.
Kuala Lumpur, 10 March 2026 – Principal Asset Management Berhad (“Principal Malaysia”), a joint venture between Principal Financial Group® (“Principal”) and CIMB Group (“CIMB”), marks dual recognition at the Asia Asset Management (AAM) Best of the Best Awards1 2026, securing two distinguished accolades under the Malaysia Country Awards category. These achievements underscore Principal’s leadership in Southeast Asia’s asset management industry and highlight the long-standing partnership with CIMB that continues to broaden access to innovative, accessible, and customer-centric investment solutions for Southeast Asian investors.
Principal Malaysia was recognised in the following categories:
- Fund Launch of the Year – Signature Dynamic Income Fund (“SDIF”)
Offered exclusively to CIMB customers, SDIF was honoured for its differentiated, strategically designed income solution tailored to evolving market conditions and retail investor needs. This award highlights the joint venture’s ability to combine Principal’s global investment expertise with CIMB’s extensive retail network to deliver quality investment opportunities to Southeast Asian investors. As of February 2026, the assets under management for SDIF are RM1,328 million, reflecting a stable and consistent asset growth as well as investment performance since its inception in 2024. - Best Retail Asset Manager
This award reaffirms Principal’s leadership in Southeast Asia’s retail asset management landscape, reflecting its commitment to long-term value creation, diversified offerings, and customer-focused advisory capabilities – strengthened through its long-standing strategic partnership with CIMB.
Munirah Khairuddin, CEO & Head of Principal Asset Management Berhad (Group of Companies), said: “We are deeply honoured to be recognised by Asia Asset Management for our continued efforts to broaden financial security in Southeast Asia with specific recognition for Malaysia. This dual win reflects the strength of our partnership with CIMB and our shared commitment to delivering meaningful, accessible investment solutions. The success of the Signature Dynamic Income Fund underscores the trust our customers place in us and our steadfast commitment to delivering value, no matter the market cycle.”
Munirah added, “SDIF is a part of the Signature Series solution specifically designed for CIMB, combining CIMB’s Chief Investment Office’s advisory with Principal’s global income and multi-asset capabilities, and deep macro insights. SDIF is a customized fund curated to serve customers with moderate risk appetite and income-based investment needs. The Signature Series solution — Signature Dynamic Income fund, Principal Strategic Global Growth fund, and Signature Dynamic Income & Growth fund — have received strong customer response and have driven assets under management to exceed RM1.67 billion2, demonstrating the growing demand for risk-managed investment strategies in Southeast Asia. Plans are also underway to make the Signature Series available in Singapore as part of a broader regional rollout.”
Haniz Nazlan, Chief Executive Officer of Group Consumer Banking, CIMB added, “CIMB is proud to celebrate these awards with Principal, reflecting the strength of our strategic partnership focused on delivering meaningful value to our customers. Wealth continues to be a key priority under our Forward30 strategic plan as we deepen client relationships and diversify our income streams. Together, we continue to curate differentiated investment solutions, powered by insights and advisory of our Chief Investment Office and delivered seamlessly through our frontline channels and digital capabilities via MyWealth on CIMB OCTO. Anchored by our purpose of Advancing Customers and Society, we are committed to helping clients grow and preserve their wealth across generations.”
Driving Financial Wellbeing Through Partnership
Principal and CIMB remain committed to enhancing customer experience through digital accessibility, diversified investment solutions, and innovative products. Their shared mission continues to focus on enabling more Malaysians to invest confidently and build lasting financial security.
Notes to editors
- 1 The Best of the Best Awards by Asia Asset Management publication recognise excellence in asset management across Asia-Pacific. These awards celebrate outstanding firms and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and leadership.
- 2 As of March 2026
- 3 As of December 31, 2025
- 4 Ethisphere, 2025
- 5 Pensions & Investments, 2025
About Principal Asset Management Berhad
Principal Asset Management Berhad® is a joint venture between Principal Financial Group®, a member of the FORTUNE 500® and a Nasdaq-listed global financial services company, and CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, one of Southeast Asia’s leading universal banking groups.
Established on 13 June 1994, Principal Asset Management Berhad® is headquartered in Malaysia with a footprint across Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. In Malaysia, as of December 2025 the company serves more than 4.5 million investors with unit trusts, retirement schemes, discretionary mandates, and asset management solutions to help make financial security accessible to more investors.
Principal® is committed to expanding the population of those living in financial security, doing so through long-term, responsible actions and creating opportunities for generations to come.
For more information, visit: www.principal.com.my
Media Contact:
Fartini Zaharuddin
Brand & Media, Principal Asia Pacific and Middle East
+6012 2883529
fartini.zaharuddin@principal.com
About Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr)
CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM89.0 billion as at 31 December 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 552 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 December 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 91.45% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.83% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.
Media Contacts:
Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com
About Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with approximately 19,000 employees3 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for 146 years, we’re helping over 75 million customers plan, insure, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business and building an inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies4 and named as the Best Places to Work in Money Management5. Learn more about Principal and our commitment to building a better future at principal.com.
Principal®, Principal® and symbol design are trademark and service marks of Principal Financial Services®, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group®.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is intended for general information only on investment matters and should not be considered as a comprehensive statement on any matter and should not be relied upon as such. The information contained herein does not consider an investor’s investment objectives, particular needs, or financial situation. Investors should consider whether an investment fits their investment objectives, particular needs, and financial situation before making any investment decision.
The information presented is not a recommendation to buy or sell any services or securities or adopt any investment strategy. This material is not intended to be relied upon as forecast, research, or investment advice regarding a particular investment or the markets in general, nor is it intended to predict or depict the performance of any investment. This material has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission of Malaysia.
The grantor of this award is not related to Principal Asset Management Berhad 199401018399 (304078-K).