Hong Leong Bank Further Expands in Klang Valley

Two new branch locations in Kepong officially opened on 6 October 2010

Kepong, 6 October 2010 - Hong Leong Bank (HLB) re-energises its branch network with the launch of new branch locations in Jalan Kepong and Rivercity, 3rd Mile Jalan Ipoh, both within the Kepong community. The opening of these new premises represents efforts to enhance the penetration of the Bank's reach and greater representation in thriving local communities.

"The new Jalan Kepong and Rivercity, 3rd Mile Jalan Ipoh branches are strategic new locations for us to relocate from our previous sites. With a combined floor space of over 27,000 square feet, they are flagship branches within the communities that they serve," commented Yvonne Chia, Group Managing Director of Hong Leong Bank.

"We chose a highly-visible, standalone four-storey location on the bustling Jalan Kepong to situate our flagship, full-service branch, which will now incorporate a Priority Banking centre, a new Business Centre and a larger and revamped banking area to elevate your branch experience. In Jalan Ipoh, we have unified our branches into a single, more distinct and more convenient location," said Ms Chia."We are also proud to introduce our network's first drive-through ATMs in both locations, another of the many ways we are trying to make banking more accessible to our customers. We hope our eye-catching new sites will constantly remind our greater Kepong customers that we are here for the long-term - to aid them financially as they grow and progress in their personal and business lives," she continued.HLB will be augmenting its network's reach and representation throughout the next year. The Bank is currently upgrading and relocating over a dozen branches in Wilayah Perseketuan, Selangor, Penang and Kedah to enhance the banking experience of these communities; the improvements to these branches should be completed by the end of 2010. HLB also will be launching its flagship branches on Light Street in Penang and on Jalan Pending in Kuching.

In total, approximately 20% of Hong Leong Bank's network throughout Malaysia will either be upgraded or relocated to more convenient locations by mid-2011 - these changes will better approximately 250,000 square feet of branch space for almost 25% of our valued customers.

Beyond growth through deeper relationships with the Bank's existing customer base, also integral to HLB's transformative programme is the expansion of its representation in communities across Malaysia.One week earlier, the Bank officially launched two brand new branches in Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Giza Dataran Sunway. With these additions, our new and existing customers will enjoy 18,000 square feet more branch space to conduct their banking business in these areas. HLB will continue to expand its branch network to bolster its presence in communities across Malaysia.

"Our customers will most immediately notice the physical changes made to our branch layouts, but this is only one element of a complex transformation programme. Behind the changes to our aesthetics, we are busy overhauling the way our branches operate. It is a complex endeavour, involving amongst other aspects: changes to our branch business models, roles of branch team members and branch technology," she explained."We are growing and deepening our branch footprint because we want to grow in our local communities. Ultimately, branches are the bedrock of our franchise as they are our vehicle for embedment into the communities we serve. Transforming our branch network will differentiate our franchise from the competition and position us to lead in local markets and consistently delight our customers," she added."Furthermore, we want the Bank to catalyse and facilitate economic activity in line with our government's ambitious economic transformation agenda. Expanding and deepening the embedment of our branch network allows us to keep our ears to the ground to stay relevant and understand our customers evolving needs in this dynamic economic era. We are also innovating in new branch formats for a superior customer experience," she concluded.

The new Jalan Kepong branch offers HLB's Personal Financial Services, a Business Centre for Business Banking and SME Banking Services, a Priority Banking Centre, an HL eBroking Centre and branch banking transaction services. Also for customers' convenience, there is an eBanking Centre open 24/7 with 4 ATMs, 1 drive-through ATM, 5 Cash Deposit Machines and 3 Cheque Deposit Machines.

The new Rivercity, 3rd Mile Jalan Ipoh branch offers HLB's Personal Financial Services, SME Banking Services and branch banking transaction services. Also for customers' convenience, there is an eBanking Centre open 24/7 with 3 ATMs, 1 drive-through ATM, 3 Cash Deposit Machines and 3 Cheque Deposit Machines.-END-Press Release - 06/10/2010