25/05/2026

MONDAY | MAY 25, 2026

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BANKING & INSURANCE

CIMB, DBKL to jointly push inclusive economic growth

HLB launches Wealth Odyssey campaign to guide clients in financial journey PETALING JAYA: Following the launch of its refreshed HLB Priority, Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has moved to strengthen its advisory-led philosophy with the unveiling of the Wealth Odyssey campaign designed to reinforce the bank’s commitment to seeing wealth stewardship as a lifelong journey. The campaign acts as a creative and strategic extension of this evolution, distilling the complexities of modern wealth management into three fundamental pillars – preservation, growth and legacy. To support this journey, HLB has integrated its suite of investment solutions, insurance products and global market advisory into a singular, cohesive experience, enabling clients to view every financial decision through the lens of a total wealth strategy. “When we launched the new HLB Priority, we made a commitment to move away from transactional banking and towards a steady handed, advisory-centered ap proach,” said HLB Wealth Manage ment’s managing director and regional head, Jeffrey Yap. “Wealth Odyssey is the next step in that evolution. It is designed to remind our clients that wealth is not a destination, but a continuous story. “Our role as stewards is to provide the visionary roadmap that guides them through every chapter, from protecting what they have built to growing their influence, and ultimately, securing their legacy.” As part of the Wealth Odyssey campaign, the bank is offering a range of premium gifts to HLB Priority and HLB Private Bank clients who invest and insure with HLB. To strengthen this total life journey approach, the bank recently expanded its ecosystem to include strategic portfolio financing solutions, as well as a healthcare proposition through a landmark partnership with Asia OneHealthcare. PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has moved its head office from Menara Maybank in Jalan Tun Perak to Menara Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur effective May 6. The bank occupies 33 floors at the new tower, housing about 7,000 employees. The premises includes a dedicated entrance for staff, customers and visitors. Several subsidiaries, including Maybank Islamic Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Bhd will also relocate in stages to the new headquarters. Maybank said its Kuala Lumpur main branch at Menara Maybank will continue to operate as usual until further notice. The bank’s new registered address is Level 70, Menara Merdeka 118, Presint Merdeka 118, 50118 Kuala Lumpur. Maybank’s HQ is now at Menara Merdeka 118

PETALING JAYA: CIMB Bank Bhd has entered into a memorandum of collaboration (MoC) with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), committing RM5 million over three years to drive inclusive economic growth under the Moving KL Forward – Kita Bagi Jadi Bersama DBKL x CIMB initiative. Anchored on CIMB’s purpose of advancing customers and society, the collaboration reflects how the bank catalyses economic parti cipation – raising the floor by enabling communities and busi nesses to participate more actively in the economy, while raising the ceiling by positioning Kuala Lumpur as a dynamic regional hub for business, investment and tourism across Asean. Over the next three years, the collaboration will roll out targeted programmes focused on two key areas. First, enabling MSMEs to adopt digital solutions to drive

recognise that the Vietnamese business landscape is dynamic and requires solutions that directly tackle real-world pain points. “By providing agile, bespoke financial support, we journey alongside our customers through out their business expansion and personal wealth growth, ensuring they have the expertise and stability they need to navigate every phase of their success with confidence,” he added. HLB has long been recognised as a premier partner for SME banking in Malaysia, with the bank being named Best SME Bank in Malaysia by esteemed industry platforms, inc luding six times by The Asian Banker and twice by Euromoney. welcomes the collaboration with CIMB, bringing together the strengths of both organisations to provide opportunities for local talents and entrepreneurs to grow while creating a more vibrant and economically inclusive city. This collaboration will also help position Kuala Lumpur as a city that not only attracts visitors but also uplift its people through sustainable eco nomic opportunities.” CIMB Group CEO Novan Amirudin said the MoC reflects how CIMB translates its purpose of advancing customers and society into tangible outcomes. He added that through the collaboration with DBKL, CIMB aims to unlock opportunities for businesses, elevate local creative talent and inspire civic pride among Malaysians, while reinforcing Kuala Lumpur’s position as a regional hub - attracting greater investment, economic opportunities and tourism from across Asean, in line with the Ekonomi Madani framework. “Through CIMB OCTO Fest events held over Chinese New Year and Ramadan, the bank supported 360 local vendors in generating approximately RM17 million in sales – demonstrating how targeted initiatives can drive business activity while accelerating digital payment adoption through CIMB OCTO and OCTOBiz. Ultimately, this collaboration is about ensuring that economic growth translates into meaningful outcomes across the broader community,” he said. The collaboration will focus on four key focus areas – culture, civic mindedness, wellness and commerce – with CIMB supporting selected DBKL flagship events, including the Festival Orkestra Kuala Lumpur, Ambang Merdeka Concert, Rockestra Legenda and KUL Design Festival.

o Partnership between bank and city authority will focus on four key focus areas – culture, civic mindedness, wellness and commerce

efficiency and competitiveness, through exclusive cashback and rebate incentives via CIMB OCTO and OCTOBiz. Secondly, activating the local creative economy through cultural events, festivals and public art initiatives – creating income opportunities while strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s position as a cultural hub. Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said, “This colla boration reflects how the govern ment and the private sector such as CIMB, can work together to deliver

meaningful economic outcomes for the people. Beyond physical development, our priority is to ensure that growth is inclusive, people-centric and sustainable. Initiatives under this collaboration will help create opportunities for communities and local businesses, strengthen livelihoods, and ensure more Malaysians benefit from the city’s progress – helping to develop a Kuala Lumpur that is more livable, resilient and inclusive in line with Visit Malaysia 2026.” Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud said, “DBKL

From left: Fadlun, Yeoh, CIMB Group chairman Datuk Syed Zaid Albar and Novan at the signing of the MoC between CIMB and DBKL.

Hong Leong Bank Vietnam scores three wins at The Digital Banker’s Digital CX Awards 2026

PETALING JAYA: Hong Leong Bank Vietnam (HLBVN) has been named the Best SME Bank for Customer Experience in Southeast Asia at The Digital Banker’s Digital CX Awards 2026, setting a new benchmark for financial innovation and customer centricity in the region. In a ceremony that recognised innovations in digitalisation and customer experience, the bank also received awards for Best Digital Bank and Best SME Bank for Customer Experience in Vietnam, solidifying its position as a leader in both the digital and SME banking spaces. With this, the bank has effectively transformed its deposit accounts into improved “operating accounts” that are integrated within each

business’daily workflow, serving as a real-time engine for growth rather than a simple repository for funds. The partnership also addresses the 2026 tax reforms by integrating HLBVN accounts with automated e invoicing and bookkeeping services, evolving the bank into a “com pliance-as-a-service” partner that removes the manual burden of back-office administration. HLB Group managing director and CEO Kevin Lam said the recognition comes as the bank works towards delivering a seamless customer journey, starting from the first point of engagement. “By integrating the National ID Registry and advanced eKYC tech nology, HLBVN has achieved a

massive 80% reduction in on boarding times, dropping from an average of 300 seconds to just 80 seconds. This ensures customers can begin their banking process almost instantly, an innovative solution to improve the customer experience which aligns with the bankwide transformation plan initiated by HLB. “As an entity of HLB, which brings 120 years of heritage in Malaysia and a vast global footprint, HLBVN is moving away from traditional banking structures towards a more agile model that caters to in creasingly diversified needs while being secure and innovative.” HLB chief digital commer cialisation officer Fred Lim said they

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