HLB to Hold 3 More Open Days for Post Moratorium Assistance

HLB announces Saturday branch opening hours to advise and help customers needing post moratorium payment relief assistance

Kuala Lumpur, 15 September – Hong Leong Bank and Hong Leong Islamic Bank (“HLB” or the “Bank”) will continue to go the extra mile with three more open days at all its branches nationwide (except for Sabah branches on the 26^th Sept due to the State Election Day and October 3^rd due to Sabah Governor’s Birthday). The Bank’s ‘Advisory & Assistance Days’ which will be held over the next three consecutive Saturdays - 19^th and 26^th September as well as 3^rd October, from 9.30AM – 1.00PM.  

This is a continuation of the Bank’s effort in providing added convenience to customers following the success of the earlier Advisory & Assistance Days on 8^th and 15^th August. The Bank’s ‘Advisory & Assistance Days’ is an opportunity for customers to meet the Bank’s staff to find out the different programs available which can help if they are experiencing difficulties in restarting their loan/financing repayments come October 1^st, 2020. In addition, relationship bankers will be on hand to assist customers who would like to seek financial or investment advice.

Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and CEO of HLB said, “Whilst the industry-wide loan/financing payments deferment period has been important in providing relief to all Malaysians during the MCO and RMCO periods, it is close to ending and we remain focused to ensure that we provide further assistance to those who need it as the recovery period for everyone is not uniform, with those that have either lost their jobs or have had their income reduced requiring further targeted assistance as they rebuild their finances through the end of the year and into 2021. We hope that our customers have had the time to evaluate their current financial standing and hence can reach out to us to discuss their specific circumstances so that we can help where needed.”

The Bank has been proactively reaching out to its customers since July to engage in conversation as to their expected financial position after the auto-moratorium period and their loan/financing commitments come October 2020, with a view to alleviate their financial burden in the recovery journey.

Fuda stressed “Whilst many customers are confirming that their financial situation is stable, there are individuals and SMEs that have requested further targeted assistance, which the Bank has been able to provide.  As we approach and enter October 2020, we want to ensure that we cover all borrowers through these additional ‘Advisory & Assistance Days’ and we urge our customers to take proactive steps now so that they have peace of mind as we transition out of the auto-moratorium.”

In addition, HLB will be meeting the SME community at the "Kempen Pemulihan Pinjaman PKS Peringkat Negeri Selangor" organized by the Selangor Entrepreneurs Clinic and Bank Negara Malaysia on the 19^th of September 2020 at the Hilton Petaling Jaya from 10:00am till 5:00pm to speak to SMEs who are seeking not only payment relief assistance but also taking the opportunity to consider business expansion via the many financing schemes that are available to help them recover and expand with resilience.

For customers – individuals or SMEs who would like independent assistance can approach the Credit Counselling and Debt Management (“AKPK”), established by Bank Negara Malaysia to provide free services on money management, credit counselling, financial education and debt restructuring for individuals. AKPK can be contacted at 03-26167766 or https://www.akpk.org.my.

For more information on the Bank’s Payment Relief Assistance Plans and the location of HLB branches for the ‘Advisory & Assistance Days’, please visit www.hlb.com.my/relief.  Customers can also call the dedicated HLB/HLISB Payment Relief Assistance Plan hotline: 03-7959 1888 (Monday – Thursday from 8:45am – 5:45am.; Friday from 8:45am – 4:45pm) or HLB/HLISB Contact Centre: 03-7626 8899 (Monday-Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm) to find out more.