04/08/2025

MONDAY | AUG 4, 2025

12

BANKING & INSURANCE

OCBC Malaysia programme for serial entrepreneurs

Hong Leong Bank unveils next-gen branches, redefines physical banking PETALING JAYA: Hong Leong Bank Bhd (HLB) is taking the lead in redefining the physical banking experience with the launch of its next-generation (next-gen) branches, part of a broader transformation strategy aimed at blending digital efficiency with personalised, in-person financial services. The reimagined flagship branches located in Old Klang Road, Cheras and Kota Damansara in the Klang Valley along with a renewed branch in Cheng, Malacca, are designed as community centric financial hubs. These latest openings follow the rollout of the award-winning Light Street branch in Penang last year and the Meet @ HLB concept introduced in Eco Majestic, Semenyih earlier this year. In recognition of its innovative approach, HLB was named the winner of the Best Branch Transformation Initiative in Asia Pacific by The Asian Banker a nod to its leadership in creating a hybrid banking model that prioritises both digital agility and meaningful human connection. “As a digital bank plus much more, we’re reimagining our physical branches as one stop centres,” said HLB CEO and group managing director Kevin Lam. “You can do everything from opening your children’s first savings account to planning your legacy or accessing SME and green financing under one roof. We’re also working closely with our sister companies within the Hong Leong Financial Group to expand insurance and advisory services for a full-suite customer experience.” The new branches are not just visually upgraded, they are intentionally designed to foster warmth and interpersonal trust, elements, said Lam who believes they are vital when it comes to wealth management, insurance planning and personalised financial advice. “These are conversations that cannot be rushed or replaced by algorithms,” Lam said. “Trust must be built face-to-face, through genuine interaction. That’s why these branches are deliberately crafted as spaces where empathy and expertise can thrive.” Each branch is adapted to reflect its local customer demographic and comes equipped with a dedicated Priority Banking Center, offering privacy and comfort for affluent clients. Business and corporate customers will also benefit from spaces conducive to deeper consultations, whether it’s about navigating financial uncertainties or discussing growth strategies. “The physical branch still plays a critical role, especially for more complex financial needs,” said Lam. “It amplifies our digital capabilities by functioning as a relationship building and advisory centre.” The current four branches mark just the beginning. HLB plans to continue rolling out redesigned branches across the country, reinforcing its mission to deliver seamless, high-touch banking services in a digital age. The transformation comes as banks across the region grapple with declining foot traffic and rising expectations for more personalised service. HLB’s approach, blending technology with a human touch, offers a compelling case study in how physical banking can evolve without becoming obsolete. By prioritising efficiency, relevance and interpersonal engagement, HLB is positioning its branches not as relics of the past but as vital touchpoints in the future of banking.

This approach allows for easier access to funds and strengthens credit history, making it simpler for entrepreneurs to secure financing for new ventures and larger expansions. Besides providing capital financing, the OCBC Serial Entrepreneur Programme equips entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need for their next business venture and to help them grow confidently. From payment and collection services to industry-specific banking solutions, OCBC Malaysia provides customised support at every stage of the entrepreneur’s journey to enable the serial entrepreneur to focus on growing their businesses without the burden of navigating a fragmented banking landscape. Through the OCBC Velocity business banking platform, customers gain access to a single login that offers a comprehensive overview of all their financial activities across all their ventures, simplifying operations and enhancing efficiency.

feedback, the bank gained deep insights into the behaviours, funding needs, and growth trajectories of entrepreneurs managing multiple businesses. The bank supports serial entrepreneurs through dedicated group relationship managers, who assist and advise the key person through a comprehensive financial and banking roadmap tailored for their business growth, with a focus on their entire business growth portfolio rather than evaluating each business in isolation. This holistic group-based approach allows OCBC Malaysia to view the entrepreneur’s portfolio as a cohesive unit, which allows them to leverage the strength and credibility of their existing businesses. The programme is also centred on assisting the serial entrepreneur from the get-go, without imposing the usual condition for a new venture to operate for up to two years before being eligible for financing.

PETALING JAYA: Enterprising individuals who operate multiple businesses can look forward to tapping into OCBC Malaysia’s first of-its-kind serial entrepreneur programme, which was officially launched last month following a year-long pilot phase. Premised on a key person-centric model with an emphasis on the visionary behind the businesses rather than the entity as a standalone unit, the programme is dedicated to supporting serial entrepreneurs as they establish and grow new businesses. OCBC Malaysia managing director and wholesale banking head Jeffrey Teoh said the latent impact of the programme is immense considering the sizeable potential base of the serial entrepreneur segment. “Our research showed that a serial entrepreneur programme proposition combined with a structured engagement approach was not available in the market. Traditional banking models often treat each venture as a separate entity, leading to fragmented support and financial solutions that fail to consider the bigger picture. So, we decided to develop the serial entrepreneur programme to help entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of managing multiple businesses with ease, flexibility and speed. “About one in three entrepreneurs who were offered our principal loans during the pilot phase signed up for the programme. This involved about 300 companies taking up more than RM850 million worth of loans, which tells us that the market is certainly ready for what we are offering,” he said. The OCBC Serial Entrepreneur Programme, which draws on the success of a similar scheme launched in 2019 by the OCBC Group in Singapore, reimagines how banks engage with the key players in the business world. Through data analytics and customer o First-of-its-kind solution consolidates financing for individuals managing multiple businesses

At the launch of OCBC Serial Entrepeneur Programme are, from left, OCBC middle market and services, global commercial banking head Anna Chang, OCBC AI-Amin Bank Bhd CEO Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik, OCBC global commercial banking head Linus Goh, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd CEO Tan Chor Sen, Teoh and OCBC Bank (Malaysia) emerging business head Chan Kok Leong.

UOB, Maybank IB back PBAPP’s RM5b sukuk PETALING JAYA: UOB Malaysia and Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) have been appointed as joint principal advisers, joint lead arrangers and joint lead managers for Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd’s (PBAPP) inaugural RM5 billion Islamic medium term notes programme (sukuk programme). Maybank IB also acted as the sole sustainability structuring adviser for PBAPP’s newly launched sustainable finance framework, which is developed in alignment with the relevant principles set by the Securities Commission Malaysia as well as other applicable regional and international sustainable finance standards. challenges such as limited water resources and climate change. The sukuk programme also highlights the important role banks play in mobilising capital for sustainable financing and demonstrates how we leveraged our capabilities to deliver real change in public sector infra structure.” Maybank IB CEO Michael Oh-Lau said, “Maybank is honoured to support PBAPP for the simultaneous establishment of its sukuk programme and sustainable finance framework – a historic first for Penang, and one that sets a strong precedent for other state government linked companies.

Proceeds from the sukuk programme will be used to fund PBAPP’s Water Contingency Plan 2030, support broader capital and operational expenditures including refinancing needs, and finance other eligible green and social initiatives in line with its sustainable finance framework. PBAPP is the first Penang state-linked agency to establish both a sukuk programme and a sustainable finance framework. The sukuk programme is structured under the Sukuk Wakalah model, enabling PBAPP to raise medium- to long-term financing through Malaysia’s capital markets in a sustainable and scalable manner. PBAPP’s sukuk programme has received a AAA/Stable credit rating from RAM Rating Services Bhd, reflecting its strong credit fundamentals. Concurrently, its sustainable finance framework was awarded a Gold Sustainable Finance Rating by RAM Sustain ability Sdn Bhd, recognising its robust governance, transparency and alignment with global sustainable finance standards.

“Malaysia’s debt capital markets remain one of the most developed and liquid in the region, with over RM120 billion in private debt securities issued annually coupled with a steady growth of sustainability-labelled issuances year on year. Through this sukuk programme, PBAPP is now well-positioned to benefit from deep and diverse investor liquidity, competitive pricing and greater funding flexibility over time.”

UOB Malaysia country head of wholesale banking Andy Cheah said, “We are proud to support PBAPP in its maiden sukuk issuance, a significant milestone in advancing sustainable infrastructure financing in Malaysia. This RM5 billion sukuk programme will fund critical water projects to ensure long-term water security for Penang, addressing rising demand and

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