22/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 22, 2025

12

BANKING & INSURANCE

AmBank reinforces support for JS-SEZ

o Group is official banking partner for Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Global Alliance Summit for 2025-2026

PETALING JAYA: AmBank Group has announced its strategic colla boration for the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Global Alliance Summit as the official banking partner, reinforcing its commitment to regional growth and cross-border investment. The collaboration which runs across 2025-2026 will also oversee further discussions to provide investors seeking regional scale and impact with end-to-end support as their preferred banking partner. These efforts aim to channel foreign direct investment (FDI) from these engagements to AmBank, reinforcing its role as the primary financial partner of the JS-SEZ Global Alliance Summit. Since 2022, AmBank has approved over RM20 billion in financing in Johor, spanning in dustries across the nine flagship zones supporting manufacturing, real estate, construction, logistics and digital infrastructure industries. AmBank’s dedicated FDI desk, launched in 2023, has onboarded over 40 investors from China and South Korea, including Huawei, Samsung, SK Group, and Xiamen University. This initiative has also resulted in over RM3 billion in

approved financing to date. The dedicated FDI desk offers comprehensive banking solutions, complemented by value-added sup-port services. These include strategic partnerships with tele communications providers, com pany secretaries, legal advisers and auditors; land sourcing through established developers within the bank’s network; supply chain enablement via access to over 110,000 SME customers; and merger and acquisition advisory services delivered in collaboration with AmInvestment Bank. The bank, through its one-stop solution model for foreign investors, remains committed to being a financial partner for businesses navigating the JS-SEZ and beyond. During a fireside chat at the JS SEZ Global Alliance Summit 2025, AmBank Group business banking managing director, Christopher Yap shared, “AmBank’s collaboration for the JS-SEZ Global Alliance Summit underscores our deep commitment to driving regional growth and enabling meaningful cross-border investments. Since 2022, we have supported over RM20 billion app roved financing in Johor, and with the opportunities ahead, we are

From left: AmBank Group enterprise banking, business banking regional director Angeline Loke, business banking, foreign direct investment desk head Yeoh Siew Peng, business banking, commercial banking region head Chua Bang Lee, Yap, Lee, Natazha and JS-SEZ Global Alliance Summit organising host committee co-chair Rumi Amjed.

Invest Johor CEO Natazha Hariss said the summit successfully trans formed dialogue into concrete directions for collaboration. “What we witnessed was not just discussions, but commitments that align Johor’s infrastructure with global capital,” he said, adding that the strong turnout of investors reflected confidence in Johor’s clarity of vision and worldclass facilities. Natazha noted that the summit has proven itself to be more than a conference – it is the launchpad that has set Johor firmly on its next chapter of growth.

meaningful partnerships that will help drive regional growth,” he added. Lee said the strong international participation underscored the confi dence investors have in Johor’s strategic position, robust infrastruc ture, and forward-looking policies. “This is more than an event – it is a milestone that strengthens Johor’s role as a key driver of growth in Malaysia and the wider region, and a signal that we are ready to work hand in hand with partners across the globe to build a thriving, sustainable economic future.”

confident that this initiative will contribute towards Malaysia’s eco nomic expansion. As a trusted financial partner, we will continue our efforts to empower businesses across the region to scale and succeed.” Johor Investment, Trade, Con sumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the success of the JS-SEZ Global Alliance Summit demonstrated Johor’s readiness to move into its next phase of dynamism. “The summit has not only allowed us to present Johor’s vision to global investors, but also created

Alliance Bank, SofaX team up to offer furnishing credit rebates to homeowners

OCBC Money Lock helps customers thwart scammers

PETALING JAYA: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd and SofaX have formalised a strategic partnership that will see the lender offering up to RM45 million in furnishing credit rebates to new and existing mortgage customers. SofaX is the first innovative home design visualisation platform that offers homeowners a comprehensive suite of home design and furnishing services through its virtual reality (VR) technology and a curated network of merchants. With emerging technologies such as VR transforming the homebuying experience, this collaboration not only paves the way for prospective homeowners to utilise SofaX’s robust platform to enjoy an elevated experience when designing their personalised home space but also incentivises them while doing so. Alliance Bank mortgage customers who apply for a loan/financing amount of RM300,000 and above with credit insurance will be eligible to receive RM15,000 worth of furnishing credit rebates that are redeemable for home design, furnishings, electrical appliances and more at over 100 participating merchants via the SofaX App. Alliance Bank group chief consumer banking officer Gan Pai Li said, “Modern homeowners are becoming increasingly sophisticated, as shown by a growing demand for avenues to elevate their personal home space. At Alliance Bank, our priority is meeting the needs of the community, especially our customers, through the offering of services that will complement their lifestyle. “By working closely with like-minded

PETALING JAYA: Customers of OCBC Malaysia can now lock the funds in their existing current, savings and fixed deposit accounts using a new anti-scam feature called OCBC Money Lock to safeguard against unauthorised transfers. Serving as an additional layer of defence against malware and phishing scams, OCBC Money Lock ensures that locked funds cannot be digitally transferred or used for local and overseas transfers covering transfers between a customer’s own accounts, new or existing payment arrange ments such as DuitNow, Interbank Giro (IBG), standing instructions or future-dated transfers, bill or credit card payments, fixed deposit placements or investments, cheque payments, insurance purchases or payments, loan or tax repayments, and ATM withdrawals or transfers. OCBC Malaysia managing director and consumer financial services head Sammeer Sharma said: “Scammers are constantly evolving. OCBC Money Lock gives our customers the power to fight back – by locking away their money and keeping it safe. “Since its launch in Singapore in November 2023, OCBC Money Lock has empowered 245,000 customers to securely lock away over S$20 billion (RM66.6 billion) as at the end of 2024, testifying to how much people have come to appreciate the peace of mind it brings. As a prime mover in anti scam offerings, we are pleased to bring OCBC Money Lock here to Malaysia to enhance the protection we offer to our customers.” He added that customers should lock only excess funds that they know will not likely be needed in the near term.

Gan (second, left) and Lai (second, right) displaying the signed documents. organisations such as SofaX, we are not only providing financial support to our customers to own a property but also encouraging them to transform that property into a place that they can truly call home. As ‘The Bank For Life’, we want to unlock more value for our customers by being there for them during important moments of their lives.”

personalised and dedicated personal shopper service, along with a wide selection of curated and trusted brands. The entire experience is seamless through the SofaX App, where the furnishing credit can be used just like any other payment app. It’s all about turning an empty house into a meaningful, comfortable home from day one.” Alliance Bank said it strives to enhance its products and offerings that are aligned with the evolving needs of its customers. Through innovative partnerships, the bank hopes to broaden its horizons and enrichcustomer experience by introducing customer-centric products that will bring differentiated lifestyle benefits to its customers.

SofaX chief operating officer, Mac Lai said, “At SofaX, we believe that completing a dream home should be as exciting and effortless as owning one. Through this collaboration with Alliance Bank, we’re making it easier for homeowners to visualise, personalise and furnish their spaces using our innovative Virtual Home Design App, supported by a

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