Malaysia

Ambank Group recorded a profit after tax and minority interests of $731.34 million for the first quarter of its financial year ending 31 March 2010, thanks to its Retail Banking business. This represents an increase of 27 percent over its previous corresponding quarter and annualised earnings per share of $.1074 and post-tax return on equity of 13.1 percent.

Hong Leong Bank partnered with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Singapore to offer trade settlement services in Yuan. This is part of China’s plan to make yuan convertible.

Maybank Islamic launched a Shariah-compliant trade finance solution tailor-made for middle market and corporate customers involved with commodity-based products.

Maybank has expanded its branch network in Cambodia with the opening of the fifth branch in the country. It is located at Chbar Ampov Town, south east of Phnom Penh City.

RHB Bank received Celent's 2009 Model Bank of the Year award for its use of SunGard's Ambit Treasury Management solution.

RHB wants its products easily understood, relevant and attractive, while making banking experience convenient through its concept "Easy by RHB".

Public Bank and AIG Consumer Finance Group formed a partnership in issuing and distributing Manchester United MasterCard credit cards in Malaysia.

Public Bank Group achieved a net profit of US$339.3 million in the first half of 2009. While the bank’s net profit for the same period in 2008 was US$367.59 million, it included a one-off goodwill payment of US$56.55 million from ING Asia/Pacific Limited in respect of the Group’s regional bancassurance distribution alliance with ING.

OCBC Malaysia will grow its bancasurance business by distributing Great Eastern Life Assurance developed products through its 29 conventional banking branches. This is made possible by the partnership formed between the two groups in the area of bancassurance following the recent liberalisation of the financial services sector in Malaysia.

Maybank appointed three directors to the Board, namely Tan Sri Datuk Dr Hadenan Jalil, Dato’ Seri Ismail Shahudin and Dato’ Dr Tan Tat Wai. It is effective 15 July 2009.

Baiduri Bank’s 'Bill Payments Made Easy Promotion' received an overwhelming response from clients, increasing the number of bill payments made via E-Channels. Available up to 15 August 2009, users are automatically entered into a draw and each month three lucky winners will win cash prizes of BND500.00 or US$699 each.

Maybank opened its fourth branch in Cambodia to reinforce its international network of over 400 offices in 13 countries. In addition, it has 384 branches in Malaysia as well as associates in Pakistan—the MCB Bank, and Vietnam—An Binh Bank.

Public Bank is banking on its new PB Day2Day Visa Card to push its total card numbers beyond 1 million.

JBIC has extended a two-step Untied US$100 million loan aimed at providing finance to SMEs in Malaysia through RHB Bank.

Hong Leong Bank conducted a presentation cum briefing in support of the Financial Guarantee Insurance Scheme of the Malaysian government. The presentation, entitled "Seizing Funding Opportunities During Challenging Times," was held for their valued corporate clients and was the first of its kind among banks.

Public Bank's new account encourages children to save through automatic transfer of monthly allowances from the parents’ account to their account. Called the PB Bright Star savings account, it is meant to inculcate the savings habit among the young.