KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has been recognised as the Best SME Bank in Malaysia at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, marking its second consecutive win.
In a statement, HLB said the latest award adds to earlier recognitions from The Asian Banker and Asian Banking & Finance, underscoring its market leadership and strong track record in SME banking.
“At HLB, our core purpose as a financial institution is simple: to empower our customers to grow their wealth. We believe that by championing the growth of SMEs, who form the backbone of the Malaysian economy, we are directly contributing to the nation's prosperity,” group managing director and chief executive officer Kevin Lam said.
He said the bank’s commitment to the SME community goes beyond traditional banking, with a clear vision to position itself not just as a service provider but as a value-adding partner.
“Through a powerful combination of innovative digital tools and expert advisory, we enable our SME customers to navigate a global economic landscape defined by continuous change and digital evolution.
“By forging strategic partnerships with both our clients and key industry players, we bridge the gap between opportunity and solution, empowering our customers to pursue their diversified business objectives while confidently managing industry headwinds and market trends,” Lam said.
“Therefore, these recent industry recognitions are a powerful testament to the trust and deep partnership we share with our SME customers, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to our goal of becoming the Best Run Bank in Malaysia.”
In the financial year ended June 30, HLB recorded a 7.5% year-on-year increase in loans to domestic business enterprises, surpassing RM70bil. Loans and financing to SMEs rose 8.1% to over RM40bil, while its community SME banking portfolio expanded 10.4%.
Separately, HLB and Hong Leong Islamic Bank are ready to support customers through a comprehensive Flood Relief Assistance Programme, providing financial aid to individuals, SMEs and micro-enterprises affected by the floods.
The Flood Relief Assistance Programme offers up to six months’ payment deferment on loans and financing facilities, including credit cards, for affected individuals as well as SME and micro-enterprise customers.
The bank will also replace damaged or lost documents such as debit and credit cards, cheques and bank statements free of charge. Existing SME and micro-enterprise customers can also apply for additional financing to support working capital needs and aid business recovery.
To apply, customers need to submit their account holder name, IC number, account number, contact details, the address of the flood-affected location, and a photo of their flood situation.
