OCBC Bank (M) Bhd managing director, senior banker and head of investment banking Tan Ai Chin
KUALA LUMPUR: While the global economy remains caught in the crossfire of tariff threats, shifting trade policies, and geopolitical uncertainty, OCBC is a financial institution that doesn’t just weather the storm, it helps others navigate it.
“We want to empower businesses to unlock growth opportunities that transcends borders,” said OCBC Bank (M) Bhd managing director, senior banker and head of investment banking Tan Ai Chin, reinforcing the bank’s regional vision.
“OCBC Group’s deep-rooted presence in Asean, Greater China and the developed markets uniquely positions us to support intra Asean investments and trade flows,” she added.
This support goes beyond conventional banking.
OCBC Group operates as an integrated financial services group – with commercial and Islamic banking arms in Malaysia, Bank of Singapore, Lion Global Investors and Great Eastern.
“Our significant contribution and support to our clients go beyond local boundaries – when they go overseas, they need currency-matching funding, merger and acquisition partners, and support on the ground. That’s where OCBC can leverage on our integrated global network to support them.
“We are honoured to have been consistently ranked as a top lead arranger in the syndicated loan market. Coupled with our strong bond capabilities, we are facilitating landmark transactions across key sectors such as digital infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing, property development and investments,” Tan said.
Amid climate imperatives, OCBC has become a leader in sustainable and green finance.
“We’re not just giving out financing – we want to be a responsible financial partner. We help businesses green their operations and meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals,” she emphasised. “In fact, we pioneered sustainable finance in Malaysia.”
OCBC has led “double-green” where it integrated Islamic and sustainable financing deals for major corporations like Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), IHH Healthcare Bhd
, Axiata Group Bhd, Sunway Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, Westports Holdings Bhd among others. Beyond that, it is facilitating companies to green their supply chain through bespoke ESG tools.
“Most importantly we’re supporting the government’s agenda in energy transition and financing digital infrastructure amongst others,” Tan explained.
Beyond the peninsular, East Malaysia is also an integral part of our strategic growth engine.
“We pledged at least RM5bil to support sustainable economic development in Sarawak,” she shared.
“They’re hungry for innovation and very open to foreign direct investment from hydrogen to sustainable aviation fuel among others, hence, our pledge is to support the Sarawak government’s agenda in prioritising sustainability and prosperity.”
Behind its actions lies a deeper connection – forged in trust and enduring partnership.
“There are companies that OCBC Group has grown with from small beginnings to initial public offerings and even regional and global expansion. Some clients have told us, ‘My parents told me – always bank with OCBC. As OCBC has supported them through thick and thin, across many generations’,” Tan said.
OCBC’s ability to serve businesses across the lifecycle – from SMEs to top conglomerates – is powered by its wide range of solutions: corporate and investment banking, wealth management, succession planning, and cross-border advisory.
“We are proud to have recently helped Ekuinas and the management team of Medispec (M) Sdn Bhd in its disposal and which will facilitate transitioning the company to be part of a leading Malaysian pharmaceutical group,” Tan shared.
In today’s climate, being reactive is no longer enough. OCBC believes in staying ahead.
“The moment something becomes mainstream, it gets commoditised. So, we move fast to innovate, whether it’s with new sustainable finance frameworks or digital economy enablers,” she said. “If you’re staying in the box, the client doesn’t need you.”
OCBC’s deep rooted presence spans Asean.
Through its ecosystem of banking, insurance, asset management and private banking, it offers something rare in today’s fragmented financial landscape: cohesion.
“Our group’s network across Greater China, Asean, and developed markets means we can connect our clients anywhere. With Malaysia being the Chair of Asean this year, OCBC is committed to supporting the cross-border capital flow in advancing Asean as a global growth nexus,” Tan said.
“We need to stay ahead of the game,” she said. “Because at the end of the day, what makes us as a trusted financial partner is our value driven insights, anticipatory foresights, and the courage to innovate – that’s what makes all the difference in creating meaningful impact to our business partners.”
And in uncertain times, that difference is everything.
