Hong Leong Bank opens two new branches

Hong Leong Bank continues to expand its network, reach and representation in local communities to grow with customers and an improving economy

Hong Leong Bank is poised to assert its growth plans through the expansion of its branch network. Today's official launch of two new branches in Bandar Puteri Puchong (including a Priority Banking Centre) and Kelana Jaya has deepened the Bank's presence in the Puchong and Petaling Jaya areas. The Bandar Puteri Puchong branch was officially opened in the presence of special VIP guest, Tan Sri Dato' Lee Shin Cheng, Executive Chairman of IOI Corporation Berhad.

The new branches supplement HLB's local market presence in the two areas, supporting the Bank's quest to provide banking services to customers, wherever they may be. The additions bring HLB's presence in the Puchong and Kelana Jaya/Petaling Jaya communities to 5 branches and to 8 branches respectively.

The new Bandar Puteri Puchong branch offers HLB's Personal Financial Services, Commercial Banking and SME Banking Services, and branch banking transaction services. The branch further offers a Priority Banking Centre and a 24-hour E-Banking Centre with 8 self-service terminals. For individuals with special needs, facilities such as a ramp is also available at the branch.

These latest additions to the network reinforce the Bank's network expansion drive, which began with the launch in November 2009 of a new-look, integrated branch of over 12,500 square feet in the Hong Leong Group's PJ City development in Petaling Jaya. The PJ City integrated branch incorporates a Wholesale Banking Business Centre, Trade Finance Centre, Customer Service Front Desk for Credit Cards, and the Klang Valley Mortgage Centre.

HLB endeavours to expand its reach and representation in local communities to help catalyse and drive financial activity as the Malaysian economy begins to recover. Injecting HLB presence into new communities and deepening its presence in those where it already operates is a vital part of HLB's business strategy going forward.

"Our branches are vital to our Bank. Branches are often the first point of contact for our customers, and they are a critical element of our multi-channel delivery franchise. The opening of two new branches today in Bandar Puteri Puchong and Kelana Jaya illustrates our commitment to reaching out to our customers, and embedding ourselves into the communities that we serve," said Ms. Yvonne Chia, Group Managing Director of Hong Leong Bank.

"We want to transform the HLB branch network into a franchise differentiator with a strong, recognisable distribution footprint. We will pursue a number of strategies including expanding our network to where our customers need us, further embedding ourselves into communities we serve, providing wholesome banking services to fulfill all of our customers' financial needs and reinvigorating our customer experience by changing the way branches are designed and emphasising service excellence and relationship-building," she further explained.

"Our branches will be the bedrock for the Bank's growth strategy. As the mainstays for our embedment into the communities we serve, they are essential to staying relevant with the evolving needs of the market place. We will place focus on our branch network to strengthen our competitiveness and position ourselves to ride the upside as the economy recovers,' she concluded.

HLB's presence has also been broadened across the Causeway in Singapore, with the opening, in February 2010, of a Bureau de Change in the brand-new Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort.

In conjunction with the opening of our two new branches, the Bandar Puteri Puchong and Kelana Jaya branches will be extending their services on Saturdays for three consecutive weeks – the 10th, 17th and 24th of April 2010. Besides that, existing and new customers will enjoy excellent offers and big savings. For more information you can contact the Bandar Puteri Puchong branch at 03-8063 6839 or Kelana Jaya branch at 03-7805 1178.

-END-Press Release - 08/04/2010