23/02/2026

MONDAY | FEB 23, 2026

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BANKING & INSURANCE

HLB Priority redefines wealth management for a new era

PETALING JAYA: Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has refreshed and rebranded its affluent wealth management segment, now known as HLB Priority. The transformation marks a strategic pivot from the transactional, product based “Priority Banking” towards an advisory approach, designed to address the ever-changing aspirations and priorities of its clients. By merging institutional financial solutions with personalised advisory and exclusive lifestyle privileges, the reimagined HLB Priority aims to help clients achieve five core outcome-driven goals – preservation, income, growth, diversification and legacy. The evolution follows a series of strategic milestones that have redefined HLB’s wealth capabilities, most notably its landmark alliance with Lombard Odier and its renewed syariah compliant wealth proposition under Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLISB). By intensifying these efforts, HLB Priority serves as a key engine of the bank’s three- to five-year transformative plan, positioning the regional wealth management segment as a long-term growth driver. HLB group managing director and CEO Kevin Lam said, “As Malaysia enters a significant era of wealth transfer, the next-generation of high net-worth individuals (HNWI) are increasingly seeking sophisticated, value-added services from wealth managers. In our commitment to transcend the ‘banking’ label, we are deliberately shifting to a dedicated advisory-led model, looking towards the long-term stewardship of our client’s aspirations. “With this, we believe wealth management can no longer be viewed as a peripheral service. Our strategy is built on the principle of mutual growth where by delivering high-value advisory, specialised solutions and exclusive privileges, we are simultaneously driving the bank’s wealth franchise as a primary engine of long-term growth and a vital Standard Chartered opens first Priority Private Centre in M’sia PETALING JAYA: Standard Chartered has launched its first Priority Private Centre in Malaysia to address the growing demand for bespoke, cross border financial solutions among the country’s internationally mobile affluent clients. Underpinned by expert guidance from the bank’s team of highly skilled SC-INSEAD Wealth Academy-trained relationship managers and wealth specialists, the centre at Equatorial Plaza provides private and inter national wealth solutions, trusted advisory, legacy and succession planning as well as global experiences and lifestyle privileges for wealth preservation, intergenerational trans fers and sustainable growth to high net-worth individuals. Harmander Mahal, head of wealth and retail banking at Standard Chartered Malaysia, said, “The opening of the Priority Private Centre highlights our commitment to bringing a conducive environment and advanced international wealth management services to our clients here in Malaysia. It is the replication of a globally proven model that has been strongly appreciated by our clients in our key wealth management hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore.”

digital access, sustainability transition and supply chain ecosystems, CGC and Maybank are supporting SMEs at different stages of development through targeted financing solutions.” In a joint statement, Maybank and CGC said they have supported SMEs through the PG/-i financing scheme since 2013. As at January 2026, the collaboration has assisted over 35,000 SMEs, especially from the micro-SME segment, with total financing commitments exceeding RM11.8 billion over 85 tranches. As CGC’s largest partner for PG/-i financing, Maybank also extends support to mid-tier companies (MTC), providing financing of up to RM20 million through the BizJamin/- I MTC scheme, emphasising the strength of the partnership and its role in supporting Malaysian SMEs and the wider economy through sustained access to financing. The latest tranche underscores how Maybank continues to translate its strategic priorities into action through its core businesses. By strengthening access to financing through customer-centric, values based offerings and supporting SMEs at different stages of their growth journey, the bank enables businesses to grow responsibly while delivering meaningful outcomes for customers, communities and the real economy. “Health is Wealth” pillar. Through the bank’s partnership with Asia OneHealthcare (A1Health), a major private healthcare provider in Southeast Asia, primarily operating in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, clients can access specialised medical care according to their unique life-stage requirements. With this, the bank looks to facilitate access to specialist medical services, ranging from health screenings to specialised consult ations and health talks. This ensures that critical health milestones are never overlooked amidst a busy professional or personal life. By recognising the evolving needs of its clients, HLB Priority transforms personalised care into a component of every client’s holistic wealth strategy. HLB Priority also provides clients access to HLB’s regional mobility and multicurrency solutions, further supporting global lifestyles by offering seamless navigation across Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cam bodia, and Hong Kong and main land China. With the reimagining of HLB Priority, the bank will roll out a refined brand identity that will be visible across all touchpoints soon. HLB has also planned a compre hensive physical refresh of its Priority centres nationwide, with modernised interior designs and new signages scheduled through March.

“The HNWI of today is defined by their ambition and their pace. They are not only architecting expansive portfolios but also ensuring their legacy is built with precision. In this high-velocity environment, our clients are not merely looking for a place to park their capital, they are seeking a partner who gives them back their most precious asset, which is time,” said Jeffrey Yap, HLB’s managing director and regional head of wealth management. “By integrating a lifestyle architecture that is as robust and forward-thinking as our financial advice, we provide a level of stewardship service that mirrors the care a physician provides for one’s medical well-being. Whether we are providing access to world-class medical specialists or orchestrating seamless transit across borders, our mission is to provide solutions that are tailored to the wealth goal that you desire, whether that is to preserve and grow wealth, or generate the best outcome from your income. “Ultimately, HLB Priority is about providing the sophisticated support and peace of mind necessary for our clients to step away from the logistical burden. This allows them to focus on what truly matters, while we provide the foundation for their wealth to endure and the five core objectives to be realised.” As part of the renewed HLB Priority, the bank has launched a

o Hong Leong Bank reimagines approach to help high net-worth individuals achieve five core outcome-driven goals

Lam (centre), with priority banking head Ng Yen Chuen, and wealth (Malaysia) head Tay Choon Wei unveiling the new HLB Priority uniforms as part of the renewed brand identity.

mind is the rarest asset. By managing the complexities of a client’s lifestyle through per-sonalised advisory and value-added support, the bank empowers them to focus on achieving the five core goals.

pillar of our non-interest income.” HLB said it has curated HLB Priority as a seamless extension of its clients’ lives, acknowledging that for the modern affluent individual, time is the ultimate luxury and peace of

Maybank, CGC line up RM1b portfolio guarantee for SMEs PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC) recently announced a RM1 billion tranche under the Portfolio

Banking & Finance Financing for other business needs is also available under the various PG financing schemes, including working capital, business expansion and supply chain, with financing amounts Guarantee (PG) Scheme, reinforcing their long-standing partnership to support Malaysian SMEs with improved access to financing across different stages of growth. The initiative reflects Maybank’s continued focus on ensuring that access to financing translates into real economic activity, while making it simpler and more accessible for SMEs to obtain the funding they need to grow and invest. As part of the new RM1 billion commitment, Maybank will intro duce a PG/-Islamic sustainable finance scheme for SMEs that have proactively transitioned their busi ness operations towards more sustainable practices. The scheme supports businesses that are making progress, recog nising that sustainability is a journey while encouraging continuous improvement that delivers positive outcomes for businesses, the com munity and the environment.

From left: Khairussaleh; Maybank community financial services group CEO Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar; CGC chief business officer Sean Tan; and Mohamed Nazri.

can last. Ultimately, we want to extend financing accessibility to a wider range of SMEs, while sup porting more entrepreneurs across the country with solutions that go beyond banking,” said Maybank president and group CEO Datuk Seri Khairussaleh Ramli. CGC president and CEO Mohamed Nazri Omar said,“This RM1 billion portfolio guarantee tranche reflects CGC’s focus on deploying guarantee support in a more deliberate and targeted manner, in line with CGC’s new 5-year strategic direction. By aligning portfolio guarantees across key financing priorities, including working capital,

ranging from RM10,000 to RM1.5 million. SMEs may apply via Maybank2u through the bank’s SME Digital Financing platform, giving them a more convenient and efficient digital experience without the need for branch visits, helping them save time, cost and focus more on growing their business. “SMEs are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, and capital only matters if it reaches businesses that are ready to grow. Through our expanded collaboration with CGC, Maybank is not just providing funding but enabling SMEs to invest with confidence, scale their operations and build businesses that

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