Hong Leong Bank Named ‘Best SME Bank in Malaysia’ by Asian Banking & Finance for Three Consecutive Years
Hong Leong Bank Named ‘Best SME Bank in Malaysia’ by Asian Banking & Finance for Three Consecutive Years
Woon Siew Hoong, HLB’s Head of SME Banking (2nd from left) accepted the award along with Angeline Ng (1st from left), HLB’s SME Banking Head of Cash, Trade and FX and Daniel Mun (1st from right), HLB’s SME Banking Head of Business Transformation
Kuala Lumpur, 31 JULY 2024 - Hong Leong Bank (“HLB” or the “Bank”) been named the “Best SME Bank in Malaysia” for the third consecutive year at the Asian Banking & Finance (“ABF”) Retail Banking Awards 2024, cementing its position as the premier bank for Malaysia’s small and medium-sized enterprises (“SME”). This eminent award recognises the Bank’s contribution within the SME space, with its innovative products, services, and solutions that consistently drive positive growth for its customers.
HLB’s dedication to becoming a trusted banking partner for SMEs translates into impressive results, with the Bank recording a 13% year-on-year (“y-o-y”) growth in its overall SME customer base. The Bank’s SME loan/financing portfolio has witnessed a 10.4% y-o-y increase to RM33 billion in the past financial year, attributed largely to a robust 12.6% y-o-y growth in its community banking initiatives within the SME segment, which is almost double the industry average growth of 6.7%.
Kevin Lam, Group Managing Director and CEO of HLB said, “SMEs are the lifeblood of the Malaysian economy, and their success is paramount to our nation's progress. At HLB, we remain committed to being valuable partners to our SME customers and community, and supporting them through every stage of their journey. Our brand promise, 'Built Around You’, reflects our continuous dedication to providing innovative solutions and personalised support tailored to our SME customers’ specific needs.
Receiving this prestigious award for the third consecutive year is a tremendous honour. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team at HLB who provide services and solutions that empower our SME customers through their digitalisation, innovation, and sustainability journeys. We are incredibly grateful for this recognition and remain committed to building on our success as Malaysia’s leading SME bank.”
In line with the Bank’s customer-centric and digital-first approach, HLB goes above and beyond when serving its SME customers. Besides providing loans and financing, it implements a digital onboarding experience where SME customers can apply for banking products and services from the comfort of their own premises. This eliminates the need for SME owners or managers to visit a physical branch to open an account or access banking solutions. HLB also provides a diversified suite of online banking capabilities, including enhanced features for faster trade processing, an optimised loan origination system that expedites loan approvals and more, ensuring SME customers enjoy a streamlined and comprehensive banking experience.
Woon Siew Hoong, Head of SME Banking at HLB said, “We understand the importance of being more than just a financial service provider. Our extensive network of Community Business Managers (“CBMs”) and Cash, Trade & FX (“CTFX”) specialists are embedded within the SME community nationwide. This deep understanding, coupled with our entrepreneurial heritage, allows us to provide unparalleled support. We are a trusted partner, committed to helping SMEs future-proof their businesses through innovation, a focus on sustainability, and a comprehensive growth strategy."
For more information, please visit: https://www.hlb.com.my/en/business-banking/group-sme-banking.html