27/04/2026

MONDAY | APR 27, 2026

12

BANKING & INSURANCE

Business travellers want more safety, support and reassurance

New financial products tailored for HLB Priority and HLB Private Bank clients PETALING JAYA: Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has launched a new portfolio financing solution, reinforcing its commitment to designing cus tomer-centric wealth management strategies. Tailored for HLB Priority and HLB Private Bank clients across Malaysia and Singapore, the solution em powers clients to stay invested while unlocking access to immediate liquidity, marking a strategic shift from traditional, single-asset class financing such as share margin financing or overdraft against unit trust. With this, the bank said it is enabling clients to effectively monetise existing assets and provide the financial agility required to seize emerging market opportunities or manage cash flow, all without the need to liquidate long-term posi tions. Recognising that agility serves as the ultimate competitive advantage, it added that this solution allows clients to maintain full market exposure, continuing to earn potential dividends and capital gains, while simult aneously monetising their asset holdings to capitalise on sudden market dips or high-potential private equity entries. By borrowing against assets rather than selling them, investors can navigate their wealth journey with enhanced tax efficiency and avoid triggering premature capital gains realisations. HLB managing director and regional head of wealth management Jeffrey Yap said: “Uncertain times often yield the most unique invest ment opportunities, provided one has the structural agility to act on them. In an era defined by geopolitical uncertainties and dynamic economic shifts, liquidity and longevity go hand in-hand, where staying invested and diversification are financial im peratives.” At HLB, its “Built Around You” philosophy means that it designs solutions that are truly customer centric, he added. “In today’s investing world, that means providing our clients with ‘strategic optionality’. We believe the most sophisticated investors are those who can ride out the inevitable volatility of high-quality, global busi nesses without ever being forced to the sidelines. “By providing a single-window liquidity solution, we are empowering our clients to remain anchored while maintaining the ‘dry powder’ necessary to capture the unique opportunities that arise from a dynamic market,” said Yap. HLB said that with its new portfolio financing solution, it is bridging the gap between wealth preservation and tactical liquidity, strengthening its competitive edge against global private banks while fostering deeper “stickiness” within its assets under aanagement, ensuring the bank’s growth remains intrinsically linked to the success of its clients.

PETALING JAYA: Safety concerns, frequent disruption and rising expectations of employer support are reshaping how employees experience travel for work, and how they judge the companies they work for. Zurich Insurance’s new report, B usiness Travel Outlook 2026 – How to Navigate a New Era of Disruption , based on responses from 4,000 international business travellers across five continents and eight countries, finds that disruption has become the norm. Four in five respondents (80%) experienced at least one disruption while travelling for work in 2025, and more than half faced an incident or emergency during a business trip. Those incidents increasingly go beyond delays and logistics. One in five travellers (20%) encountered natural disasters, geopolitical threats or societal unrest – more than those reporting medical incidents (13%) – and 43% say they feel less safe travelling for business than they used to. Younger travellers are feeling the strain. Gen Z employees are less confident about how to respond in an emergency, more concerned about mental health while travelling, and more likely to lose belongings than older generations. They also travel internationally more often and are more likely to mix business and leisure (“bleisure” travel), a fast-growing trend that can create new risks and protection gaps if policies don’t keep pace. The findings tell a stark story about what is at stake for employers. Nearly three in five respondents (58%) believe their employer could do more to ensure their safety while travelling, and a similar proportion (60%) say they would consider leaving their job if safety wasn’t a priority. PETALING JAYA: RHB Banking Group has reinforced its commitment to enhancing customers’ financial wellbeing with the launch of RHB Wealth Advance (RWA) and Takaful mySmart Income Enhanced (MSIE). Both wealth and protection solutions are developed in colla boration with RHB’s bancassurance and bancatakaful partners, Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd and Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Bhd, respectively. RHB Banking Group managing director (community banking) Jeffrey Ng Eow Oo said, “Today’s customers are looking beyond returns. They seek solutions that enable them to grow, protect, and eventually transfer their wealth with confidence. With RWA and MSIE, we continue to innovate and help them achieve these objectives while

o Zurich’s report reveals disruptions have become the norm, says firms must invest in tailored travel protection to prioritise employee wellbeing

emergencies, travel disruptions, and cyber resilience. This commitment to care for what matters allows employees to travel confidently, knowing their wellbeing is always a priority.” said Zurich Malaysia country CEO Junior Cho. With most respondents (81%) planning to mix business and leisure travel in 2026, the report highlights the need for clearer guidance, better preparation and more responsive travel risk management approaches that reflect how people travel today. Key findings from the report: 0 80% of international business travellers experienced at least one disruption while travelling for work in 2025. 0 53% reported at least one travel incident or emergency in 2025. 0 43% feel less safe travelling for business than they used to. 0 81% plan to combine business and leisure travel in 2026. 0 58% agreed their employer could do more to ensure safety. 0 60% would quit their employer if they felt their safety when travelling was not a priority. 0 26% – including 32% of Gen Z – are unsure or do not know what to do in an emergency abroad. The Business Outlook Survey 2026 harnessed the insights of 4,000 employed individuals who tra velled internationally for business at least once during 2025. Survey responses were collected by Opinium Research from Dec 19, 2025, to Jan 5, 2026, with 500 participants each from the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Singapore. covered for accidental death. Contribution payment terms are as low as three years while coverage is provided up to 20 years. Additional features include periodic cash booster benefits and maturity payouts based on accu mulated savings and investment performance. The plan also facilitates seamless wealth distribution through hibah takaful . Takaful Malaysia Group CEO Nor Azman Zainal said, “MSIE reflects our continued focus on delivering balanced family takaful solutions that combine protection and financial planning. With guaranteed yearly cash benefits and long-term protection features, this plan is designed to support Malaysians in building financial discipline while ensuring their loved ones remain protected against life’s uncertainties.”

retain top talent, and strengthen organisational resilience,” said Cara Morton, CEO of global businesses and operations at Zurich. “In Malaysia’s evolving travel landscape, companies must ensure their workforce is protected whether travelling strictly for business or combining their trip with personal time. Zurich Malaysia’s compre hensive solutions bridge the gaps in conventional coverage by offering protection that includes medical

“As business travel enters a new era of rapid change and greater complexity, the need for proactive support for business travellers has never been greater. Disruptions, safety concerns and shifting employee expectations are shaping today’s travel landscape. “Business leaders must invest in tailored travel protection to prioritise employee wellbeing. Taking decisive steps will help safeguard the travelling workforce,

RHB rolls out wealth and protection solutions in tie-up with Tokio Marine and Takaful Malaysia

“By committing for a limited period, customers can secure lifetime protection, access diversified investment opportunities, and benefit from features that support long-term wealth continuity for loved ones,” said Tokio Marine Life CEO Kang Yu Fen. “Everyone deserves dependable solutions that help them build, preserve, and transfer wealth with confidence. RWA is purposefully designed to empower customers at every stage of their financial journey.” Complementing this is MSIE, a syariah-compliant family takaful solution distributed through RHB Islamic Bank. The plan offers guaranteed yearly income along side financial protection in the event of death or total and permanent disability, including enhanced coverage of up to 500% of the sum

Banking & Finance The plan also features a 100% allocation rate for basic premiums from the first year, provides access to a diversified range of investment funds, and offers enhanced pro tection benefits, including coverage of up to 200% of total premiums paid, with additional benefits for accidental death events. offering two distinct yet com plementary pathways that cater to different financial priorities, risk appetites, and life stages.” RWA is a flexible protection and investment solution that supports wealth accumulation and inter generational wealth transfer. It features short premium commit ment options of three, five or eight years and protection coverage up to age 128. RWA offers guaranteed acceptance up to age 75 with no health questionnaire required.

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