HSBC

Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, 18 January 2018 – In response to a recent article published in an online portal, Free Malaysia Today titled “Easy access to loans contributes to bankruptcy, says consumers group”, The Association of Banks in Malaysia would like to state that loans approved by our member banks are assessed stringently and in accordance to their internal approving guidelines and procedures.

Our member banks assess loan applications based on the eligibility of the applicant and repayment capability among other factors. Rigorous verifications including checks with the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) and various credit report agencies are performed before approval for loans applications are granted. Banks adhere to responsible financing practices in providing loans. This is to avoid exposing both the bank and the borrower to increased credit risks.

Our member banks also view fraud very seriously and if falsifications are detected, banks would take immediate steps to address the issue and reject the application.

Members of the public are reminded to practise prudent spending within their means to avoid being caught in a financial quandary. This also applies to having careful planning with regards to using facilities such as debit cards and other payment cards. A debit card is a payment card where the transaction amount is deducted immediately from your savings and/or current account, upon authorisation. ATM cards in Malaysia also function as debit cards and allow cardholders to make purchases at point of sale terminals. Debit cards are a convenient alternative to carrying cash. If there are insufficient funds in the card holder’s bank account to meet the payment, the payment transaction would be declined. In addition, debit cardholders have the option to set their preferred limits for transactions at point of sale terminals and for ATM withdrawals.

Our member banks remain committed to adhering to the guidelines of responsible financing and are continuously supportive in providing access to financing to eligible applicants.

Kuala Lumpur, Monday, 15 January 2018 – We refer to the recent articles in the media pertaining to voluntary separation schemes by banks in Malaysia. These initiatives were part of the banks’ efforts to re-align their internal strategies in relation to manpower requirements for better efficiency to suit their respective business objectives in light of advancement of technology which is more system-driven.

With the emergence of financial technology and digitalisation in the banking sector, banks may take on approaches to trim its workforce in certain areas of its operations while increasing its workforce in other key focus areas. As at end November 2017, there were over 4,000 vacancies in the banking industry. In addition, there were more than 4,500 new jobs created from January to November 2017 arising from digitalisation. Collectively, the vacancies and new roles created provide significant number of employment opportunities in the banking sector.

Many of the new roles created are more focussed in the areas of automation and Information Technology (IT) which is crucial to meet the demands of the evolving dynamics of the digital banking eco-system. To remain competitive in the digital banking sphere, banks have also initiated efforts with staff retraining, upskilling and/or redeploying opportunities in order to meet current demands of the banking industry.

Our member banks place great emphasis and investment in providing continuous training for the development of their workforce. They also remain committed to delivering quality banking services.

Kuala Lumpur, Friday, 5 January 2018 – The financial industry would like to reiterate the assistance available to customers in the states affected by the recent floods. All member banks, insurance companies and takaful operators will continue to support businesses and individuals to ensure access to banking and insurance/takaful services.

The member banks have taken various measures to ensure that basic banking services will be made available to flood affected customers as well as offering assistance for the resumption of SMEs’ business operations in flood affected areas. These measures include:

In addition, bank customers in flood affected areas are advised to proceed to the nearest unaffected bank branches to carry out uninterrupted banking services. Notices will be put up at affected branches as well as the banks’ websites informing customers of the nearest available bank branch to carry out their banking.

The insurance companies and takaful operators have intensified efforts to assist the flood victims by:

Flood affected customers are advised to contact their respective financial institutions for consultation with regard to their banking and insurance/takaful issues arising from the flood situation. Financial institutions will give top priority to all requests for assistance from customers who have been affected by the floods.

Members of the public may contact the respective Associations for any enquiries or complaints relating to banking, insurance and takaful matters in the flood stricken areas at the following contact:

ABM at ABMConnect at 1300-88-9980 or via eABMConnect at www.abm.org.my for conventional commercial banking services.