Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has embarked on an on-ground roadshow to further heighten its level of engagement with its corporate customers. The campaignincludes meeting with business associations, chambers of commerce and corporate customers to increase awareness on access to and management of financialproducts and services.

"We are continuously in touch with our customers and we have also further stepped up the frequency of our interactions with the community and dialogueswith relevant associations to discuss issues relating to current economic developments and business conditions," said Ms Yvonne Chia, Group ManagingDirector of Hong Leong Bank.

Besides traveling nationwide to educate both corporate customers and staff on the need to be proactive and aware of the macro implications of the currentglobal financial developments and issues impacting businesses, HLB has also stepped up ongoing programs for rescheduling options to address the disruptionsin the business or personal finance, on a case by case basis, depending on the situation at hand.

"In today's current environment, it is of utmost importance that we become even more accessible to our customers and clients," added Chia. "At the sametime, businesses need to remain vigilant and understand the structural changes of current financial markets and implications of counterparty risks ofbuyers, suppliers and financial trade instruments facilitating both domestic and international trade flows."

"While we are cautious about the economic outlook, we believe the Malaysian Banking System is resilient to withstand the current challenges. HLB is highlycapitalized with a Capital Ratio of 14.1%. We will be proactive and prudent in the opportunities and challenges ahead," she noted.

Hong Leong Bank, a public listed company , today stands as one of the highest capitalized bank s in Malaysia . The company has a long and proven history asa well managed bank with excellent year-on-year performance. It has in place structures and processes to maintain and continuously enhance credit riskassessment and collection capabilities, sound credit policies and procedures, appropriate risk management and risk methodology, strong credit control andeffective collection strategies.

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Press Release - 05/11/2008