| James Kon |
MAYBANK Brunei has further consolidated its growing presence in Brunei Darussalam with yet another special accolade this year after being awarded the ‘Fastest Growing Foreign Bank Brunei 2016’ by the Global Banking & Finance Review for the second consecutive year.
Despite the challenging economic environment, Malaysia’s largest financial services and leading banking group in Southeast Asia managed to achieve double digit growth last year and is looking further to expand its presence through new products and services as well as targeting a new market segment.
The latest achievement by Maybank was announced by Lim Yu Kwang, Country Head and General Manager of Brunei Operations of Maybank Brunei, in a press conference held at the bank’s headquarters in Kiarong yesterday.
Also at the press conference were Bobby Sia, Head of Business Banking and Transaction Banking and Leong Cheng Thai, Head of Consumer Sales.
“It’s an honour and a proud achievement for us because it’s another milestone for the bank. It’s not easy to receive a prestigious award for two consecutive years,” said Lim.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Leong Cheng Thai, Head of Consumer Sales; Lim Yu Kwang, the Country Head and General Manager of Brunei Operations; Bobby Sia, Head of Business Banking and Transaction Banking; and Woo Chang Huei, Product and Marketing Strategy Manager of Maybank Brunei with the award
The award for the ‘Fastest Growing Foreign Bank Brunei 2016’ by the Global Banking & Finance Review. – PHOTOS: JAMES KON
“Maybank has been very visible in the market and will continue to be so in the near future to tell the Brunei market that we are here to stay and further reinforce our footprint as well as to further expand in the country. Being a truly Asean bank with branches in all 10 Asean member countries, we can help Bruneian customers,” he said.
Comparing year on year growth, he revealed that Maybank managed to achieve a double digit growth last year.
“One of the main reasons for the growth is the improved visibility of the bank due to its strategic location which is near the busy Kiulap roundabout where people who pass by can see the bank every day,” said the general manager. “Another reason is that our head count sales are always in the market to see more customers.”
He also cited the importance of good customer service where in the banking industry, competition is very intense.
“Products are almost similar among all banks and is actually about how you can stand out in terms of customer service,” he said.
“Maybank offers retail banking which includes personal loans, credit cards and mortgages. On the business banking side we have corporate financing, development financing, and property financing, to name a few. The growth comes from both segments where mortgage is doing well and the number of customers has increased in business banking.” Lim said.
Looking into continuous growth, Lim said, “We are still growing and this is just the start of the journey. There is plenty of growth opportunity here. We have been focusing on mortgage and business banking, two key engines for growth. There are still other areas where we can actually look at. We are constantly looking out for growth opportunities to see which particular niche market we can enter.”
Speaking about the possibility of opening new branches, he explained, “There is no intention of opening new physical branches yet. However, I think that we will concentrate on technology advancements like e-banking and a self-automated branch for the future.”
Maybank Brunei currently has 61 staff members and is looking to further increase its personnel next year to accommodate the growth of the bank.
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