HLB APPOINTS TAN KONG KHOON AS GROUP MD/CEO

Hong Leong Bank Berhad ("HLBB") announced today that it has appointed Mr. Tan Kong Khoon as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer effective 1 July 2013.Mr. Tan joins HLBB with over 30 years in the banking industry, bringing with him a breadth of professional experience and a strong track record in leading and managing large and complex banking businesses. His career has seen him hold various senior positions in multinational banks and financial institutions across Asia including Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank N.A and Cigna International. Mostly recently, he was the Group Executive for the Consumer Banking Group of the Development Bank of Singapore ("DBS"), where he led and managed strategy formulation and execution for consumer banking globally across the entire group.Prior to joining DBS, Mr. Tan held the position of President and CEO of Bank of Ayudhya ("BAY"), Thailand, where he led and managed the whole banking group comprising banking, fund management, stock broking and insurance businesses. Under his leadership, the bank experienced a healthy and robust growth in business, with net income growing four (4) times during his tenure. Listed on the Thailand Stock Exchange, BAY is the 5th largest bank in Thailand.

In his new role, Mr. Tan will lead the continued transformation of HLBB, defining and implementing the next stage of its journey as it continues to evolve as a modern, relevant and leading bank in Malaysia and the region.

"We warmly welcome Mr. Tan to his new role at the helm of HLBB. As we push forward with our plans to continue a trajectory of rapid growth, we believe that he will inject the new thinking and fresh ideas needed to implement innovative and modern strategies that will ensure we maintain HLBB's status as a leading bank in Malaysia and the region," said Mr. Raymond Choong, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad.

Mr. Tan holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Bishop's University in Canada, and has attended management programmes at Harvard Business School and Wharton School of Business. 

-END-Press Release - 01/07/2013