Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC), Malaysia’s sole provider of guarantee for business loans, today awarded four local commercial banks the CGC Top SMI Supporter Award 2004. The award, the tenth in the series, is to acknowledge the financial institutions for their significant contribution towards the financing of Small Medium Entreprises (SMEs) and their overall participation in CGC’s guarantee schemes annually.

The awards recipients were Maybank, Bumiputra-Commerce Bank (BCB), RHB Bank and Hong Leong Bank. CGC’s Chairman, Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani, who is also Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Deputy Governor, presented the awards after CGC’s 32nd Annual General Meeting held in Petaling Jaya.

For Maybank and BCB, the awards this year are of special significance as it is the tenth consecutive year that they have won this award from CGC. As for Hong Leong Bank, it is their first award this year, an acknowledgement for their active participation in spurring the growth of the SMEs in the country. RHB, meanwhile, has won this award for six times.

Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani said the CGC Top SMI Supporter Award, introduced in 1996, has grown from strength to strength as can be seen from the growing awareness among financial institutions to participate in CGC’s guarantee schemes.

“I would like to congratulate Maybank and BCB for winning this award ten years in a row which undoubtedly places them as the leading providers of financial support for SMEs. Similarly, I would also like to congratulate RHB for their achievement, winning this award for the sixth time, and welcome Hong Leong Bank into the top four ranks of this award. This inaugural achievement by Hong Leong will definitely place the bank on the same playing field with the other financial institutions,” said Datuk Zamani at the prize presentation ceremony held after the 32nd Annual General Meeting of CGC.

Meanwhile, all winners of the award have expressed their full commitment to ensure the continued growth of SMIs in the country and to work closely with CGC.

“The SMEs continue to be the impetus for growth and we congratulate CGC in their efforts to enhance this sector through their various loan and guarantee schemes. We have great pleasure in working with CGC in support of the SMEs and congratulate them for their various programmes in uplifting the SME sector. We are honoured by the recognition as Top Performer for 10 consecutive years and we will continue to enhance the close rapport with CGC to enable the SMEs to access the various CGC schemes,” said Datuk Amirsham A Aziz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maybank Berhad.

BCB says it is honoured with the recognition of this award by CGC as a Top SMI Supporter. As one of the largest domestic bank with a deep understanding of the needs of local enterprises, BCB notes that it has always been committed to assist SMIs advance.

“We aspire to be the choice bank to all businesses by providing a speedy, efficient and hassle-free process whereby businesses can seek financial assistance. As such, we commit a great deal of resources and dedicate a large team of experienced bank officers located at about 50 business centres throughout the country dedicated to financing SMIs. Our success in this mission over the last 10 years as Top SMI Supporter is due in a large part to the strong commitment and unwavering support of CGC, which has always been a most supportive and forward looking partner in our quest to help Malaysian SMIs advance. We would like to express our appreciation to CGC and restate our commitment to work closely with CGC,” said Encik Abu Bakar Buyong, Executive Vice President, Business Banking.

RHB Bank says the SMEs have been recognized as a priority business. The bank notes that they have 42 easily accessible business centres and a network of 191 branches nationwide to cater for SMEs financing needs. RHB Bank is the first commercial bank to develop and launch a program lending loan package specially tailored for the SMEs under its ‘BizPower’ Brand.

“We are fully committed towards the development of the SMEs and have set up dedicated departments which provides advisory and product development namely the Special Funds & Schemes Department, the Bumiputera Business Development Department and the Program Lending Department. In addition, our Accounts Relationship Managers and the Commercial Sales Team will provide their professional services and also look into the SMEs financing needs. With CGC as our business partner, we will be able to provide better financial assistance to a wider SMEs market.

This is reflected in our achievement and recognition accorded by CGC as its Top SMI Supporter Award for six consecutive time,” said Mr Michael J. Barrett, Chief Executive Officer, RHB Bank Berhad.

Meanwhile, Hong Leong Bank says the bank’s bedrock has always been the SMIs. According to Mr Lee Chaing Huat, Chief Operating Officer, Business Banking, they are delighted and honoured to be recognised and to receive this prestigious award from CGC.

“We attribute this achievement to our loyal SMI customers who have given us the opportunity and privilege to be their business partners. This award will certainly spur us to bring more value added financial services to our customers and the SMI community and to help them face the extremely challenging and competitive business environment both locally and globally,” noted Mr Lee.

The winners were selected based on various criteria set by CGC. They include the number and value of loans guaranteed, loan growth, contribution towards Bumiputera SMEs, contribution towards the manufacturing sector, rehabilitation and restructuring as well as recovery.

All winners received a special woodcarving, ‘Pohon Bodhi’ which represents the primordial tree that has stood from the beginning of time and whose branches and roots reach out into infinity. The award symbolises commitment and strong foundation.

Press Release - 9/5/2005