07/07/2025

BANKING & INSURANCE 12 MONDAY | JULY 7, 2025 RHB’s new app makes mobile banking simpler, faster, more secure PETALING JAYA: RHB Banking Group has launched RHB Mobile Banking App (MBK App), offering customers a faster, simpler and more secure way to manage their everyday finances. MBK App is a key milestone in RHB’s broader digitalisation agenda under its three-year PROGRESS27 strategy. The new app features a redesigned interface that delivers a more intuitive and seamless user experience. With faster load times and enhanced security features, MBK App is protected by biometric login and a built-in safety layer for all transactions called SecurePlus, besides malicious app protection. “The new RHB MBK App reflects our ongoing commitment to making banking more accessible, seamless and secure for all Malaysians. We have designed this app with user ex perience at its core, empowering our customers to take control of their finances anytime, anywhere with confidence and ease,” said RHB group community banking managing director Jeffrey Ng. “Our new app is not just an upgrade or a refresh, it reflects our vision to reimagine how our customers manage their finances – faster, smarter and more intuitive, empowering them to take control of their finances with ease and confidence,” he added. As part of the rollout, RHB has partnered with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) to launch an exclusive customer rewards cam paign, encouraging wider use of QR code payments, a space where Malaysia now ranks second globally with 66.1% adoption, just behind China. The campaign, which runs from now until Oct 31, offers customers a chance to win a share of RM450,000 in cashback rewards. Each RM10 transaction made using DuitNow QR via the app qualifies as five entries into the draw. PETALING JAYA: Maybank Foundation, the social impact arm of Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank Group), and Anthill Fabric Gallery recently cele brated a historic milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Anthill Weaving Training Centre (MWEW) in Argao, Cebu, the Philippines. The ceremony marks the opening of the first MWEW training centre in the Philippines and the programme’s expansion into its fifth Asean country, following the success of such ini tiatives launched in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos. The Argao training centre, scheduled for completion by the end of this month, will serve as a flagship hub for weaving training, capacity building and the promotion of zero waste weaving practices to preserve cultural knowledge while introducing sustainable innovations. “This centre embodies our purpose and values at their core,” Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation

OCBC reiterates commitment to support Johor businesses

network, OCBC is poised to contri bute meaningfully to the JS-SEZ, fostering stronger economic ties between Singapore and Malaysia. Wong said: “We have a long history in Johor dating more than a hundred years. OCBC Malaysia’s first branch in Johor traces its history to 1917, and there are now eight branches in the state, out of 38 across Malaysia. “Having already committed over RM11 billion in financing to businesses in Johor, we are looking to further catalyse local economic activities and cross-border invest ments in Johor and the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone through at least another RM3 billion in financing by year-end. “We are honoured to have this opportunity to explore with the Johor menteri besar how we can build on these solid foundations and leverage the full capabilities of OCBC Group’s extensive regional franchise to contribute to the success of the JS SEZ.” Onn Hafiz, in welcoming the

delegation, conveyed his sincere appreciation to OCBC Group for its continued support of the JS-SEZ. “On behalf of the Johor state government, I express my deepest appreciation to OCBC Group for its strong and unwavering commitment to the JS-SEZ. The group’s commit ment of over RM11 billion in financing with at least RM3 billion more by year-end reflects a strong endorsement of Johor’s economic direction and investment potential. We welcome this partnership and look forward to working closely with OCBC to unlock Johor’s full po tential as Asean’s next economic powerhouse,” he said. OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd CEO Tan Chor Sen said that even prior to the official signing of the JS-SEZ agreement in January, OCBC had taken several proactive steps in Malaysia to showcase the zone’s potential to global investors. “OCBC has a strong track record of assisting foreign businesses in establishing operations in Malaysia and has facilitated the entry of new companies from various sectors, including services, construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade,” he added. Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) CEO Datuk Koh Yaw Hui remarked, “Along with OCBC Malaysia and the wider OCBC group of which we are a part, we are excited about having a role in bringing to fruition the strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the border region between Johor and Singapore into a premier economic hub. As the leading insurance group in the country, we believe we are well positioned to make a difference through our comprehensive range of life, general and takaful insurance solutions.” Anthill Fabric Gallery co-founder and managing director Anya Lim said, “This synergy with Maybank Foun dation comes at a critical juncture for Anthill. As a social enterprise rooted in community and heritage, we have long sought a partner with the regional reach and depth that Maybank brings. This collaboration enables us to scale our mission, expand our impact, and place Filipino weaving traditions at the heart of sustainable development.” The Philippines Department of Tourism Region 7 director Judy Dela Cruz Gabato said, “The weaving traditions of the Philippines are a testament to our people’s creativity, resilience and cultural identity. “Preserving and revitalising these practices are essential – not just for cultural pride, but for creating sustainable livelihoods that honour our heritage. We commend Maybank Foundation and Anthill for recognising the deep value of Filipino craftsmanship and for investing meaningfully in our communities.”

o Group has provided more than RM11 billion financing since start of 2024, with RM3 billion more by end of this year for investments in JS SEZ

PETALING JAYA: As part of its support for the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), OCBC Group announced that it has committed more than RM11 billion in financing to businesses in Johor since the start of last year. By the end of 2025, the group expects to provide at least RM3 billion more in financing for investments into various sectors including real estate, oil and gas, manufacturing and data centres. Group CEO Helen Wong, along with senior executives of OCBC Group, shared this during a courtesy visit to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk

Onn Hafiz Ghazi at his official residence in Saujana, Johor Bahru, recently. In reiterating the group’s long term support for JS-SEZ, Wong emphasised OCBC’s One Group approach, which brings together the collective strengths of OCBC Bank, Great Eastern Holdings (its insurance subsidiary), Bank of Singapore (its private banking arm) and its leasing and wealth management capabilities. This uniquely positions the group to support business growth and cross border collaboration. Leveraging its deep-rooted history in Johor, diverse financial capabilities and integrated regional

From left: Bank of Singapore CEO Jason Moo, Tan, Wong, Onn Hafiz, Great Eastern Group CEO Greg Hingston, Koh and OCBC Al Amin Bank Bhd CEO Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik.

Maybank Foundation, Anthill building weaving training centre in Philippines

women weavers and supported more than 2,250 natural fibre farmers across Asean, specifically in sericulture (silk) and cotton farming. The Philippine expansion introduces abaca farming into the programme for the first time. This milestone arrives at a meaningful juncture – Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2025. The launch not only reflects Malaysia’s leadership in fostering people-centred regionalism, but also reinforces its commitment to cross-border co operation and the Asean Socio Cultural Community Blueprint 2025. Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino said, “As Malaysia assumes the Asean chairmanship this year, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a region that is inclusive, sustainable and rooted in cultural heritage. “The Maybank Women Eco-Weavers Programme embodies this vision by generating significant opportunities for women and safeguarding traditional craftsmanship.”

socio-economic inclusion across Asean – ensuring that underserved communities gain not only visibility, but also meaningful access to livelihoods, heritage preservation, and resilient ecosystems, where opportunities are made available to all, not just a few,” she added. The next training centre is planned to be built at Bukidnon Province and is envisioned to be a comprehensive facility that integrates weaving, natural dye education and fibre production – with a strong focus on abaca and other indigenous materials. These regional nodes will form a holistic ecosystem that uplifts women artisans and fibre farmers through a culturally rooted, sustainable value chain. The MWEW programme will also extend its reach to Metro Manila, where women weavers will receive dedicated weaving and product innovation trainings, strengthening urban artisan networks and market linkages. Launched in 2016, the MWEW programme – led by Maybank Foun dation – has trained over 1,900

Banking & Finance “This centre is more than infra structure – it’s a launchpad for trans formation. It will equip women in Argao with the tools, knowledge and market access they need to thrive, while ensuring that their textile traditions continue to flourish. This expansion also reflects the pro gramme’s role in raising the floor of chairman Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to humanising financial services by empowering women, pre serving woven heritage and creating economic opportunities where they are most needed. Together with Anthill, we are weaving hope into action and driving long-term resilience across the Philippine region.” Maybank Group chief sustainability officer Izlyn Ramli said, “In this inaugural year in the Philippines, the programme aims to train 50 women weavers and support 10 abaca farmers, laying the groundwork for a community-led circular economy rooted in tradition and innovation.”

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