Malaysia is a key market for Credit Suisse in the South East Asia area, said the firm in a statement. In early February 2014, the bank revised its gross domestic product outlook for the country from 5 per cent to 5.3 per cent as it expects a strong boost from the tourism industry in line with Visit Malaysia Year 2014. The country is also expected to gain a positive spillover of visitors as a result of the political turbulence in Thailand. 

The appointment also comes just shortly after the launch of the Credit Suisse Wealth Institute, a school for private bankers in Singapore, reflecting the continued increase in demand for private banking services in the fast-growing region.