KUALA LUMPUR: OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) is drawing from the combined strength of the Asean-Greater China network of which it is a part to help its customers realise their aspirations.
According to OCBC Bank chief executive officer Tan Chor Sen, being part of the OCBC Group, which is the second largest bank by assets in South-East Asia, offers the breadth and depth for the bank to attend to the increasing complexities involved in helping individuals grow their wealth and companies advance their businesses in Malaysia.
“We see immense growth potential in the flow of business from China to the country, both in corporate and retail, and will continue to focus on providing tailored banking solutions to our existing and potential customers coming in from China and elsewhere in the region.
“We are committed to growing the business in the country, with a strong focus on attracting and supporting China businesses into the country. And we can always count on the support of our headquarters in Singapore, and the other members of the network, including those in Greater China, Macau, Hong Kong and Indonesia,” he said.
Commenting on the latest OCBC Group-wide brand campaign premised on the Asean-Greater China theme, Tan said the series of advertisements in Malaysia is designed to let individuals and businesses in the region know that when they set their sights on progressing in this country, they need to look no further than OCBC Bank.
“It is about helping our customers achieve their aspirations and providing them with the most suitable solutions at our disposal.
“We have what it takes to get our customers to where they want to go, whether it means tapping into our internationalisation strategy, digital offerings, sustainable solutions or Islamic banking products and services,” he said.
As part of its internationalisation strategy, the bank has set up a unique dedicated China Business Office to serve inbound China individual and business customers.
Earlier this year, the bank sealed a deal with Beibu Gulf Holding (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (BGHM) to attract investors to set up business operations in the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP). MCKIP, strategically located in Kuantan, in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), is the first industrial park to be accorded “National Industrial Park” status in Malaysia. Jointly developed by Malaysia and China and set up in 2013, MCKIP is modelled after its sister park in China, the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (CMQIP).
The bank also views the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as an initiative that will bring strong synergies beneficial to both Malaysia and Singapore. In support of the initiative, OCBC Bank is focusing on forward-looking and convenient schemes to support corporates, SMEs and individuals based in Singapore to fulfil their banking needs in Johor.
On the sustainability front, OCBC Bank recently reinforced its support of Sarawak’s long-term aspirations and sustainability-driven strategic initiatives through a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) signed with Invest Sarawak Sdn Bhd. The exchange of MoC between OCBC Malaysia and InvestSarawak during the official launch of the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference and Exhibition 2024 unveiled a funding allocation of up to RM5bil by the OCBC Group to promote sustainable economic development in Sarawak.
Tan added that the bank views the journey ahead as being more than just being about business development.
“As a Group, our aspiration is to be Asia’s leading financial services partner for a sustainable future. And this extends beyond our customers to encompass other stakeholders as well.
“We want to be the bank that enables the people and communities around us and will continue to focus on community-related efforts through our community-centred activities including our flagship mass cycling event in the heart of the city centre, OCBC Cycle KL; our involvement in the car-free morning sessions both in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru and our community efforts at the various branches nationwide.
“Through these, we hope to uplift the vulnerable and the needy in both their particular areas of need using our tools for teaching financial literacy, for now and beyond,” he added.