Biography: Takeshi Kitamura

 A Story of a Malaysian Japanese

Takeshi Kitamura was born in a small city in Malaysia, carrying Japanese culture inherited from his father. His journey took him to Curtin University, a campus in Perth, Western Australia, and offshore campuses in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, and Mauritius. Here, he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in Marketing and Management, earning a degree accredited by the prestigious AACSB, EQUIS & EFMD.

Takeshi took a leap into the professional world. He joined the esteemed RHB Banking Group, the fourth-largest and fully integrated financial services group in Malaysia. Here, he assumed the role of a Personal Banker Bancassurance (PBB), demonstrating his expertise in life insurance. He continued to expand his professional repertoire, amassing a collection of professional certificates. His dedication and expertise did not go unnoticed, leading to a promotion that would take his career to new heights.

Enter Malayan Banking Group (Maybank), the largest company in Malaysia by market capitalization and a proud member of the Forbes Global 2000. Takeshi's dream had found its home. In November 2018, he made the transition to Maybank, where he assumed the role of a Personal Financial Advisor (PFA). His journey at Maybank was nothing short of remarkable. Takeshi's quest for knowledge extended far beyond life insurance. He delved into the intricacies of investments, mastering retail bonds, equities, dual currencies investments, structured products, personal and mortgage loans, credit facilities, operations, and compliance. 

Takeshi's thirst for knowledge didn't end there. He embarked on a part-time venture at Open University Malaysia while investing his time at Maybank. There, he pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT), a path that filled his weekends and broadened his skill set. He also became an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer to impart knowledge to others.

Thanks to the knowledge and skills acquired through Maybank Academy, Takeshi was able to personally oversee assets worth millions of Ringgit from clients, effectively growing his wealth. This achievement enabled him to realize a remarkable 582% return on investment within just the second month of his career, commencing in March 2019, spanning both unit trusts and ASNB variable funds. Furthermore, Takeshi consistently maintained his impressive performance, achieving a remarkable 234% return on investment over the subsequent 8 months, from March to the end of October 2019, ultimately earning recognition on his final Balance Score Card for the year.

In 2020, Takeshi continued to excel, achieving an astounding 295% return on investment in a single month. This accomplishment solidified his reputation as a formidable force in the world of investments, characterized by a unique blend of global and local perspectives.

Following his dedicated tenure of 2 years and 6 months as an advisor at Maybank, Takeshi was promoted to the position of Premier Relationship Manager (PRM) at HSBC Bank. HSBC Bank (Malaysia), a subsidiary of the globally renowned Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, ranks 7th in the world and operates in 70 countries with over 3,900 offices, boasting a legacy of over 150 years in customer service excellence. Within a mere 3 months at HSBC Bank, Takeshi achieved the remarkable feat of securing the top spot in the country's customer deposit rankings and emerged as the number one performer among his peers with less than a year of experience, registering an impressive growth of 6,096%. Furthermore, Takeshi managed to contribute substantially to the bank's revenue, generating nearly RM100,000 despite undergoing online training as a newly onboarded PRM.

In his position as a Relationship Manager, he does not only manage client's portfolios through the marketing of ideas and researching clients but is also involved heavily in managing operational risk, taking appropriate action to minimize loss, to ensure that all team members are aware of and effectively identify ML & TF, sanctions and reputation risk, collaborate with the wider team and maintain the highest standard of excellence in clients. 

While his tenure with HSBC Bank in the year 2021, University Malaya (UM) welcomed him as he embarked on a path to deepen his knowledge and graduated with Maste of Real Estate. 

He set his sights on an even more ambitious goal—earning his third master's degree, this time in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance. With unwavering resolve, Takeshi graduated from Putra Business School, UPM. Here, he embarked on the rigorous journey toward achieving his MBA in Finance, a program known for producing financial leaders and experts.

Afterward, he joined Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, the country’s second full-fledged Islamic bank after Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad. At just 27 years old, he held a managerial position as a Muamalat Relationship Manager under the Regional Office Central. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing operations across 21 branches spanning Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor. His final role at the bank was as a Business Manager in the Deposit Business Division. 

During his time at Bank Muamalat, he consistently delivered outstanding results. In April 2023, while managing the Jalan Melaka branch, he achieved 94% of the target and recorded an impressive 434% growth in current account acquisitions, securing 2nd place in the nationwide rankings. In May 2023, he continued his exceptional performance by surpassing the target with 107% achievement and driving a remarkable 1021% growth in current accounts, maintaining his 2nd place nationwide ranking. June 2023 marked yet another milestone. While managing the PKNS and Laman Seri branches, he achieved 354% of the target, with current accounts growing by 1087%. Additionally, Fixed Term Accounts (FTA) saw a phenomenal increase of 1373%, earning him 3rd place nationwide as of June 20, 2023. The success streak carried into July 2023, where he achieved 227% of the target and secured 2nd place nationwide once again.

In fact, he was honored to be invited as a guest speaker to represent the premier banking division, "Muamalat Beyond," and discuss the topic of legacy planning. It was an opportunity to connect with an audience, primarily Bumiputera clients, and shed light on a subject that often feels complex but is deeply personal and essential. Legacy planning is not just about legal frameworks or financial strategies; it’s about ensuring that wealth, values, and responsibilities are passed on in a way that reflects one’s principles and aspirations.

In his presentation, he explored the historical importance of legacy planning and its growing relevance in Malaysia, particularly among the Bumiputera community. With the rise of successful entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals in this demographic, the need to address issues like asset protection, family continuity, and Shariah compliance has never been more critical. He delved into tools such as wills, trusts, and estate planning strategies while highlighting the importance of adhering to Islamic inheritance laws.

What made the session truly memorable was the level of engagement from the audience. The participants were deeply invested in the discussion, asking thoughtful and practical questions about protecting their family assets, ensuring seamless business continuity, and minimizing potential disputes. Their curiosity and openness transformed the session into a lively and meaningful exchange, where knowledge flowed both ways. It became clear that legacy planning wasn’t just a technical exercise for them; it was a way to safeguard their life’s work and provide security for future generations.

His career progressed further when he was promoted to Assistant Vice President at Kenanga Investment Bank, Malaysia's leading independent investment bank renowned for delivering premier investment banking and financial services. After a successful stint at Kenanga, he rejoined Maybank, where he rose to the position of Relationship Manager.

Currently, he is pursuing a PhD as a full-time student at one of Malaysia's top technical universities, focusing on Technology Management and Technoentrepreneurship. His studies are supported by a government scholarship, highlighting his commitment to advancing knowledge and expertise in these innovative fields.

The following details are the professional certificates secured by him.

• PSMB Train the Trainer (TTT)
• Certified Financial Planner, Malaysia (CFP)
• Investor Protection Professional Certification (IPPC)
• Familiarization Program for Marketing Representative (FPMR) by SIDC
• Associate Qualification in Islamic Finance (AQIF)
• Microsoft Certified Solution Associate (MCSA)
• Computerized Unit Trust Examination (CUTE)
• Certificate Examination in Investment-Linked Life Insurance (CEILLI)
• Takaful Basic Examination (TBE)
• Pre Contract Examination for Insurance Agent General Insurance (PCEIA / AB)
• Pre Contract Examination for Insurance Agent Life Insurance (PCEIA / AC)
• Real Estate Negotiator Certificate Course (NCC 620 & 301)
• Introduction to Ethics in Banking - Asian Banking School

Professional members of:

• Certified member of Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM)
• Affiliate member of Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• Affiliate member of Financial Market Association Malaysia (FMAM)
• Affiliate member of Asian Institute of Chartered Banker (AICB)
• Ordinary member of Malaysian Institue of Estate Agents (MIEA)
• Ordinary member of Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management (MIHRM)

Other certificates, licenses, and continuing education programs participated by him.

• CompTIA Security+ (100 hours)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) (112 hours)
• Harvard Manage Mentor: Certificate of Completion (41 Certs)
• Shariah in Practice, Treasury & Risk Management, Islamic Hedging & Liquidity Management - IIFM Standards certified by IslamicMarket.com
• DBS Private Bank Future Leader Programme
• Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre: Certificate of Achievements (16 Certs)
• Registered Financial Planner (Module 1 & 2)
• Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation: eUsahawan Digital Commerce 
• Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation: eUsahawan Plus (eU+) Digital Commerce
• SAGE UBS Computerized Accounting (48 hours)
• Bursa Malaysia: Introduction to Sustainability
• Bursa Malaysia: Corruption and Bribery
• Android Application Development by University Teknologi PETRONAS
• The Open University: Introduction Corporate Finance
• The Fundamental of Digital Marketing by Google
• Conversational English Level 4 (Distinction)
• Curtin University Alumni: Economic Outlook and Personal Finance
• BitDegree: A Virtual Reality Course
• BitDegree: Lean Six Sigma Training
• BitDegree: Introducing Coding for Beginners
• BitDegree: How to break into a Remote System
• Apps Development - Android Studio
• Graphic Design (Inkscape)
• Graphic Design (Sketchup Make)
• Project Management Software
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification
• Digital E-Business (80 hours)
• Certificate of Achievements: The Summit of Mount Kinabalu (2 Certs)
• Certificate of Achievements: Skydive Australia
• PADI: Open Water Diver 
• Latihan Pengendali Makanan (LPM) certified by Ministry of Health, Malaysia (KKM)
• Malaysian Driving Licenses: B, D, E, H & I

I have faith in the wisdom of Wendell Willkie, who once eloquently stated that "Education is the cradle of leadership." Steve Jobs, a visionary of our era, emphasized the importance of "staying hungry and foolish" while reminding us that "time is limited." With this in mind, I am compelled to reject the idea of squandering even a single one of the 86,400 precious seconds that make up each day on endeavors devoid of future value. It is imperative that we harness the knowledge we acquire today and apply it in our daily lives; failure to do so renders our efforts either futile or devoid of purpose.

(Golf & Country Club: YB Tn Hj Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain and Guests of Honour)

Since May 2021, Takeshi has been actively contributing to a newly established NGO, Persatuan Pemikir Rakyat Sabah, based in Kota Kinabalu. This organization focuses on promoting social welfare and civic initiatives in Sabah. Takeshi serves as the Deputy Treasurer, playing a vital role in overseeing financial matters and helping the organization meet its objectives of addressing community needs and advocating for socio-economic development.

The association was formally established with its inaugural meeting in Kota Kinabalu, aimed at bringing together professionals and community leaders to strategize on sustainable initiatives for the people of Sabah. It reflects a collective effort to bridge gaps in education, welfare, and public awareness on governance and civic responsibilities​

As a dedicated member, Takeshi's involvement highlights his commitment to community development alongside his academic pursuits.

(Persatuan Pemikir Rakyat Sabah, Kota Kinabalu - 1st Official Meeting of newly established NGO)