30/06/2025

BANKING & INSURANCE 12 MONDAY | JUNE 30, 2025

SME Bank partners BSN to empower local entrepreneurs

fication across a wide range of asset classes, including equities, listed real estate, sukuk and commodity. This allows sophisticated investors to align their financial goals with their values while benefiting from active asset allocation designed to optimise performance. Through this strategic collaboration and product launch, RHBAM and HSBC Bank aim to showcase their agility in meeting evolving investors’ needs, enhance awareness of their diverse investment solutions, strengthen RHBAM’s brand recognition, streng then relationships with existing investors, capture new investor seg ments, and drive growth in assets under management for syariah compliant funds. RHBAM aims to achieve RM100 million in sales within the first year of the fund’s launch. Its managing director and CEO, Ng Chze How, said, “We are pleased to introduce the RHB Shariah Multi Asset Fund, a testament to our commitment to providing inno vative and values-based investment solutions for sophisticated investors. By collaborating with HSBC, we are able to offer a unique opportunity for global diversification within a syariah-compliant framework, lever aging the expertise of both organi sations.” Disney-themed debit card makes Malaysian debut PETALING JAYA: OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd has launched the OCBC Stitch Debit Card, the first ever Disney-themed debit card in Malaysia, as part of their strategic five-year collaborative effort. Inspired by spacey trouble maker, Stitch, the debit card aims to delight Disney fans and banking customers alike – especially with the live-action reimagining of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch in cinemas in Malaysia recently. OCBC and Disney first announced the strategic collaboration across three of the bank’s core markets – Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia – in October 2024. The new Stitch themed debit card marks the beginning of OCBC’s collaboration with Disney in Malaysia, where OCBC Bank promises to bring more family and fan-based experiences to the bank’s customers. According to Sammeer Sharma, head of consumer financial services, OCBC Bank, the lender looks to bring storytelling, imagination and emotional resonance into the world of banking through products and activations inspired by Disney. “This is a fresh way for us to connect even more deeply with our customers and delighting them in ways that go beyond what tends to be expected,” he said. Sammeer added that the bank expects to gain an increase of 100,000 in new-to-bank current and savings account customers through the collaboration in the next 24 months.

PETALING Bank (Malaysia) Bhd has extended RM351 million in financing to See Hong Chen Group and Exsim Group to support three strategic real estate develop ments in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The financing involves a part nership between Exsim and See Hong Chen Group for the acquisition of freehold land along Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, Johor Bahru, ear marked for mixed development with a gross development value of about RM1.8 billion. The project site is about 3km from the Johor Bahru CIQ Complex and the co-located Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link station. Financing has also been extended to See Hong Chen Group to support the acquisition of freehold land parcels in Bandar Johor Bahru. The sites are strategically located within walking distance of the Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station, in a prime commercial area. According to OCBC Bank mana ging director and wholesale banking head Jeffrey Teoh, the financing reflects the bank’s continued commit ment to support sustainable develop ment in the JS-SEZ. “The JS-SEZ represents a significant opportunity for long-term economic growth, and we are pleased to JAYA: OCBC PETALING JAYA: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) have signed a memorandum of under standing (MoU) to empower home grown entrepreneurs. Aligned with the Madani Eco nomic Framework and the National Entrepreneurship Framework, the collaboration aims to catapult the growth of entrepreneurs through improved financial access, capacity building and digital enablement – reinforcing the role of development financial institutions (DFI) in nation building. SME Bank acting group presi dent/CEO Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim said, “Reaffirming our developmental mandate, we are committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable national growth by forging strategic partnerships that enhance access for SMEs to embrace innovative digital solutions.” Central to this collaboration, o They intend to foster financial access, capacity building and digital innovation

BSN’s extensive pool of microfinance customers can leverage SME Bank’s suite of digital tools tailored for MSME development, in particular through ScoreXcess, a one-stop business financing application portal for small and micro financing operated by its capacity building and training arm, Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (Cedar). “By leveraging our combined expertise, this partnership signifies a strategic collaboration between two DFIs, reflecting our shared commit ment to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and deliver tailored support that addresses the dynamic needs of today. “We will continue to support SMEs across key sectors, including BSN’s customers once they are ready to expand, in alignment with our mandate to empower SMEs through out their lifecycle. “Our financing and beyond financing support include the tech nology and digital segment, through our SME Technology Transfor mation Fund, as well as Pembiayaan Ekosistem Payung , a tailored finan cing solution to build resilience and scale within a guided ecosystem. We are also proud to mobilise Bank Negara Malaysia’s High Tech and Green Facility to help SMEs grow in strategic and sustainable sectors.”

SME Bank acting chief corporate strategy officer Hamdan Mohd Habibollah (left) and BSN deputy chief executive Mujibburrahman Abd Rashid at the MoU signing ceremony recently.

accelerate SME growth. Through the collaboration, Score Xcess has facilitated the submission of 89 applications, amounting to RM3.2 million in financing requests. The initiative highlights how strategic partnerships can enhance the reach and effectiveness of SME Bank’s digital ecosystem, solidifying its role as a catalyst for SME development nationwide.

In addition, SME Bank’s digital transformation journey, anchored by platforms such as ScoreXcess, Elsa and Odela, has been instrumental in supporting nearly 5,000 SMEs across strategic sectors from 2021 to 2024. These platforms are designed not only to enhance access to financing but also to provide structured assess ments and market access, forming a comprehensive digital ecosystem to

OCBC Bank extends RM351m financing to two companies for developments in JS-SEZ

RHB Asset Management launches syariah-compliant multi-asset fund PETALING JAYA: RHB Asset

Management Sdn Bhd (RHBAM) has launched the RHB Shariah Multi Asset Fund, a wholesale feeder fund designed to provide sophisticated investors with access to a globally diversified syariah-compliant invest ment strategy. The new fund will primarily invest in the US dollar-denominated share class of the HSBC Global Funds ICAV – Shariah Multi Asset Fund, which is the target fund. The target fund strategically allocates investments across a broad spectrum of instruments, including equities, fixed income securities, eligible collective investment schemes, other transferable securities, cash and foreign direct investments. The initiative is a direct response to the growing demand for syariah compliant investment solutions, particularly within the global multi asset space, and is launched in colla boration with HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd, which will serve as the initial distributor. HSBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited will act as the target fund manager, leveraging its strong multi-asset investment capabilities and deep Islamic finance expertise. The fund aims to offer investors an all-in-one syariah-compliant solution providing global diversi

From left: Apac BOS market group head Jeffrey Tan, OCBC Bank commercial banking head Kevin Choo, See, Lim, See Hong Chen Group chairman Tan Sri See Hong Chen, Exsim group managing director Lim Aik Kiat, OCBC Bank CEO Tan Chor Sen, Teoh and and Soans Group director Tan Chee Yuen.

their strategy to develop high-impact assets in key growth corridors, and they look forward to contributing to the continued development of Johor Bahru. Exsim managing director Lim Aik Hoe said, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for us as we expand our footprint into Johor. With OCBC Bank’s support, we are con fident in delivering developments that meet the evolving needs of the market and community.” OCBC Bank operates eight branches in Johor, including Johor Bahru, Skudai, Kulai and Taman Molek, all situated within the JS-SEZ.

Banking & Finance See Hong Chen Group managing director See Cherng Jye said they are grateful for OCBC Bank’s support and confidence in their vision. These projects, he added, are aligned with support our clients in advancing developments that contribute to this region’s progress. “We are always looking to deliver value that goes well beyond tradi tional lending by offering integrated financial solutions made possible through the cross-entity and cross border expertise of OCBC’s One Group, which includes Great Eastern, Bank of Singapore and PacLease,” he said.

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