Our Sustainability Framework
Digital Intelligence
Our vision is to lead the region in digital financial innovation. We integrate advanced technology into every product to deliver the
personalised convenience that meet our customers’ evolving needs. This commitment to innovation is matched by our dedication to
security; we proactively manage cybersecurity and data privacy risks through robust safeguards across all our operations.
Our Digital Intelligence theme is driven by these Material Topics:
AI-Enhanced Customer and Client Experience
Embedding a customer and client-centric culture within the organisation using advanced data analytics and digital systems to create innovative products that meet customer needs, improve end-to-end experience and satisfaction, and enhance accessibility, leading to increased customer and client retention.
Programmes, initiatives and policies related to digital banking:
Protecting employee and customer data from unauthorised access and cyber threats through the responsible collection, handling, storage, and protection of personal and proprietary data.Programmes, Initiatives & Policies related to Cyber Security & Data Privacy:
Our success is rooted in a sustainable employee experience. By fostering a supportive and enriching environment, we empower our people to thrive personally and professionally through every stage of their career. We invest in this journey with robust development and wellbeing initiatives, ranging from leadership coaching to holistic health support, ensuring our team is equipped to navigate an evolving industry. Ultimately, we strive to build a culture of belonging where unique perspectives and ideas fuel our collective performance.
Our Workforce Transformation theme is driven by these Material Topics:
Talent Development and AI-Readiness
Investing in talent attraction, development and retention to cultivate a pool of high‑quality talents, while fostering a growth mindset, advancing upskilling in AI and emerging technologies to ensure adaptability in an evolving business and technological landscape.
- Programmes, Initiatives & Policies related to Talent Development and AI-Readiness:
Establishing a corporate culture that embraces and promotes sustainable practices, values, and behaviours throughout the organisation (e.g. encouraging employee volunteerism, implementing ESG capacity-building programmes).
We believe that doing business the right way is essential to create lasting value for our company and communities. By weaving ESG and Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) solutions into our products and services, we ensure our growth and sustainability move in perfect sync. Our commitment to ethics, transparency, and robust governance is more than a policy. It is the foundation of our long-term, holistic success.
Our Socially Responsible Business theme is driven by these Material Topics:
Good Governance & Ethical Business Conduct
Conducting our business and operations professionally, while upholding the highest standards of ethics, integrity, transparency and accountability, in order to maintain stakeholders’ trust in the organisation.
- Programmes, Initiatives & Policies related to Responsible Financing:
Providing sustainable and responsible financing by integrating ESG factors into the design, evaluation and management, supporting customers’ adoption of green, social and sustainability-linked solutions, while enabling customers’ transition towards lower-carbon and more responsible practices.
- Policies & Frameworks related to Responsible Financing:
- Hong Leong Bank Business & Corporate Banking ESG Policy & Assessment Framework
- Hong Leong Bank Wealth Management Services ESG Framework
- Sustainable Finance Framework
- HLB Green Bond Framework
- Sustainable Finance Products & Services
Upholding sustainable procurement principles across our supply chain through robust supplier policies, assessment and engagement practices, while encouraging supplier diversity to include local businesses.
- Programmes, Initiatives & Policies related to Sustainable Supply Chain:
Upholding human and labour rights across our value chain, promoting fair labour practices including employee wellbeing, health and safety, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated equally and without discrimination through effective policies, processes and labour standards.
-
Programmes, Initiatives & Policies related to Human & Labour Rights:
We are committed to helping our region transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy. This starts with our own goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050 through resource-efficient operations, but it extends much further.
Our Environmental Management theme is driven by these Material Topics:
Climate Resilience
Managing our environmental footprint while integrating climate-related risks and opportunities into our strategies, business operations and value chain to facilitate a just and seamless transition towards a low-carbon economy.
- Programmes, Initiatives & Policies related to Building Climate Resilience:
We believe that societal value and business value go hand in hand. By partnering with social enterprises, we deliver lasting environmental and social benefits to the regional underserved communities where we operate. We also leverage our expertise to improve access to affordable financial services and promote financial literacy, empowering everyone from students to entrepreneurs and underserved groups to improve their financial wellbeing and equip them with digital skills to thrive in a modern economy. By supporting a more resilient society, we naturally expand the reach of our products and solutions, and create a stronger foundation for our own long-term growth.
Our Community Investment theme is driven by these Material Topics:
Social Enterprises & Communities
We partner with social enterprises and communities to implement programmes that create long-term environmental and social impact in the regions where we operate. Through these initiatives, we enable access to affordable financial services and actively promote financial literacy across all segments of society.
Sustainability Governance Chart
The Board of Directors and the BRMC ensure that all sustainability programmes and policies are aligned with business objectives and principles of the Bank.
The current Chair of the SC is the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), while the SWC chair is the Chief Sustainability Officer (“CSO”).
Our sustainability governance is overseen by the Board, which provides oversight of the committees and departments responsible for developing sustainability strategies and managing sustainability and climate risks.
To support the global shift toward sustainability, we’ve launched our Sustainable Finance Framework (“SFF”) in October 2024, a strategic roadmap to mobilise RM20 billion for green projects over the next five years.
This framework guides our expanding range of Green and Sustainable Products, Services & Market, ensuring our financing directly fuels the transition to a greener, more resilient economy.
The framework is designed to fund initiatives across key sustainable areas such as:
Renewable Energy (“RE”)
- Generation of RE
- Acquisition of RE projects or businesses
- RE development, operations and maintenance services
- Manufacturing, assembling or production of RE components and machinery
- Procurement of RE solutions or products
- Energy efficient technologies or equipment
- Services related to energy efficiency
- Manufacturing or assembling energy-saving products
- Procurement of energy efficient products
- Construction or renovation of buildings with green building certificates
- Green building design, consultancy, audits, testing, equipment, system and services
- Purchase of green building certified properties
- Special Housing or Government Schemes
- New development for low to medium income individuals or households
- Secondary properties priced at RM250K & below (West Malaysia) and RM300K & below (East Malaysia)
- Refinancing on affordable properties
- Construction or refurbishment of waste processing and recycling facilities
- Energy harvesting facilities i.e landfill gas capture
- Low emissions transportation for waste collection vehicles
- Promotion of circular economy solutions
- Production or assembly of hybrid or electric vehicles (“EV”)
- Production of technology or equipment for hybrid and EV adoption
- Purchase of hybrid or EVs
Our green products offerings cover:
- Corporate solutions - to support business transition through green projects such as Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Waste Management, Transportation & Logistics
- Retail solutions - to support individual consumers to manage their carbon footprint through Green Vehicles and Green Mortgages & Affordable Properties
- Market solutions - where funds are allocated for sustainable projects
Sustainable Finance Framework Products
- HLB SME Solar Financing
- HLB Solar Plus Loan/Financing-i
- HLB Green Bond
- EV loan
- Greening Halal Business
For more information on the Sustainable Finance Framework, click here.
For more information on our sustainability initiatives, contact sustainability@hlbb.hongleong.com.my
For more information on our Sustainable Finance Framework, contact sff@hlbb.hongleong.com.my
Hong Leong Bank Annual Sustainability Report
Hong Leong Bank Annual Sustainability Report
Hong Leong Bank Sustainability Governance Framework & Policies
Hong Leong Bank Sustainability Finance Framework
For Compliance related information, click here.
Get the latest news & updates on our Sustainability and ESG-related initiatives.
HLB Advances Net-Zero Commitment, Expands Mangrove Initiative to Drive Climate Action and Empower Local Communities
Hong Leong Islamic Bank Empowers green transition for Halal SMEs through Bank Negara Malaysia’s Greening Halal Business Program
Hong Leong Bank Partners with Think City and GreenSteps to Drive Circular Economy Solutions for Sustainable Cities
Hong Leong Bank Records Third Win at the National Energy Awards, Named Best Domestic and Islamic Bank for Sustainable Energy Financing in Malaysia
Hong Leong Bank Promotes Greening Supply Chains at Its 11th Sustainability Roundtable
2026
| April 11, 2025 | |
| April 14, 2025 | |
| November 11, 2025 | |
|
Hong Leong Bank Turns Plastics into Purpose with the Sea Monkey Project through HLB Jumpstart |
November 24, 2025 |
|
Hong Leong Bank Collaborates with Refiller Mobile to Encourage Adoption of Zero Waste Lifestyle |
February 19, 2024 |
| May 20, 2024 | |
|
Hong Leong Bank Promotes Greening Supply Chains at Its 11th Sustainability Roundtable |
July 26, 2024 |
| October 29, 2024 |
|
Hong Leong Bank’s New Data Center Receives Highest Green Certification in Malaysia from GCI |
March 13, 2023 |
|
Embracing Green Supply Chain Practices Key for Malaysian SMEs’ Long -Term Sustainability |
April 13, 2023 |
|
ESG Leadership Award for Impactful Sustainability and CSR Initiative |
July 28, 2023 |
| October 3, 2023 |
| IBM Partners Hong Leong Bank to Introduce Cognitive Banking
|
11 Jan 2016
|
| Hong Leong Bank And Malaysian Business Angels Network Collaborate To Support Local Start-Ups
|
11 Oct 2016
|
| Hong Leong Bank Transforms Customer Experience with its First Online Application Platform
|
04 Nov 2016
|
| Hong Leong Bank Goes Green With Bankwide Upgrade to Use 100% Recycled Paper
|
06 Dec 2016
|
| Hong Leong Connect Available on Apple Watch | 05 May 2015
|
| Nationwide Township Campaign for 2015 | 29 Jun 2015
|
| Hong Leong Connect Awarded Best Internet Bank Malaysia
|
03 Jul 2015
|
|
14 Sep 2015 |