Hong Leong Islamic Bank Profit Up 15% YOY

Higher Net Profit

Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLIB) is a full subsidiary of the mother bank, Hong Leong Bank and augments it in serving the Islamic banking customer segment.For the 9 months, it registered a higher net profit of RM 48 million, up 15% Y-o-Y from RM 42 million and up 9% on a Q-o-Q comparison for the correspondingquarter last year.

During this fiscal year the bank has added new capabilities in Islamic Investment Banking and Wholesale Banking to existing strong PFS business. Newbusiness has started to flow in and new Investment Banking mandates are in hand in Islamic Investment Banking. PFS portfolio remains dominant, whilst newbusinesses are being developed

The balance sheet net financing grew to RM 4.2 billion or up by 15% from RM 3.7 billion as of June 2007. Depositor base stood at RM 5.4 billion, up 3% fromRM 5.2 billion as of June 2007. The capital adequacy ratio remains strong at 16.94% for its total capital adequacy (RWCR).

Earning per share was 9.55 sen for the nine months (12.7 sen if annualized) compared to 8.31 sen ( 11.1 sen if annualized) as of March 2007 and return onaverage shareholder funds was 10.2% (annualised) compared with 9.9% for the 12 months as of June 2007.

- End -

Press Release - 29/04/2008