Press Release
For Immediate Release
Labuan / Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 21 July 2026 - Phoenix Investment Bank (Labuan) Ltd. ("Phoenix" or the "Bank") has received in-principle approval from the Labuan Financial Services Authority for a Labuan investment banking licence and is completing the outstanding conditions required for full licence issuance.
Phoenix is being established as a Labuan-based institutional investment banking platform with proposed capabilities in cross-border trade finance, correspondent banking and international financial execution, subject to final licence issuance, regulatory approvals, client eligibility, internal policies and operational readiness.
Addressing a Defined Market Need
Backed by the Fintrade Group, Phoenix was conceived to address a persistent market need for a specialist, compliance-led Labuan investment banking platform able, after licensing, to support institutional trade finance execution. Subject to final licence issuance and satisfaction of all in-principle approval conditions, Phoenix's proposed initial services are expected to include letters of credit, standby letters of credit, bank guarantees, documentary collections and SWIFT-integrated workflows, with an emphasis on disciplined documentation, risk management and execution.
The landscape of cross-border commerce has grown more complex. Compliance requirements are tighter, documentation expectations are higher and the operational and reputational costs of inadequate financial execution are more consequential than ever. Against this backdrop, Phoenix intends, after final licence issuance, to support eligible institutional clients across selected trade corridors with a focused, governance-led approach.
Proposed Services and Strategic Roadmap
Subject to full licence issuance, satisfaction of all in-principle approval conditions, client eligibility, internal approvals and operational readiness, Phoenix's initial focus is expected to comprise trade finance origination and structuring, RMA and correspondent banking development, SWIFT-integrated operations, relay services, documentary collections and controlled secured issuance.
Over time, and subject to applicable regulatory approvals and readiness milestones, Phoenix intends to expand into complementary areas including financial advisory, custody services, structured financing, international payments, and card and merchant services.
Institutional Foundations
Phoenix's proposed platform rests on four foundations: an intended regulated Labuan investment banking platform, trade finance expertise, an institutional client focus and the broader financial services track record of the Fintrade Group.
Phoenix is being built carefully because international trade finance requires more than transaction processing. Our immediate priority is to complete the licensing and operational requirements properly. After full licence issuance, Phoenix intends to serve eligible institutional clients with disciplined documentation, risk assessment and execution.
Phoenix draws on the Fintrade Group's established track record across financial advisory and securities services. The Group's entities include Fintrade Tech Solutions Limited, a financial advisory platform operating out of New Zealand, and Fintrade Securities Corporation Ltd., a Labuan-licensed securities firm active in investment advisory and financial intermediation.
Phoenix is currently completing its final regulatory and operational requirements before full licence issuance, including capital confirmation, appointment of key personnel, office readiness and fulfilment of documentation and verification obligations. The Bank anticipates the satisfaction of all outstanding conditions in due course.
About Phoenix Investment Bank (Labuan) Ltd.
Phoenix Investment Bank (Labuan) Ltd. is a proposed Labuan investment banking platform promoted by the Fintrade Group. Phoenix has received in-principle approval for a Labuan investment banking licence and intends, after final licence issuance and subject to applicable approvals, client eligibility and operational readiness, to provide trade finance, structured financing, correspondent banking, financial advisory and related institutional financial services to corporate and institutional clients.
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