Hong Leong Bank has demonstrated exceptional performance and innovation, securing its position as Malaysia’s best bank for small and medium-sized enterprises. With impressive year-on-year growth, the bank increased its total SME customer base by 18%, rising from 276,314 in 2023 to 324,556 in 2024. This growth spans both borrowing and non-borrowing segments, with tailored lending products and the effective deployment of community business managers playing pivotal roles.
The bank has also been at the forefront of product innovation, launching or enhancing a range of SME-specific offerings. Notably, the GGSM 2.0 financing initiative supports SMEs in sectors like green tech and healthcare, with RM288.65 million ($68 million) already approved across 361 SMEs. Additionally, Hong Leong Bank has committed RM44.96 million to green loans and subscribed RM350 million to an Association of southeast Asian Nations green bond, highlighting its dedication to sustainable finance.
The bank has also been at the forefront of product innovation, launching or enhancing a range of SME-specific offerings
Digitisation of SME services is another area where Hong Leong Bank leads, being the first in Malaysia to introduce a fully electronic know-your-customer process for sole proprietors that completes in under 10 minutes. The integration of Weixin Pay to capture Chinese tourist spending and the digital onboarding for foreign currency accounts further showcase its digital capabilities.
Enhancements in relationship management are evident with the doubling of the SME cash and FX teams and the strategic restructuring of regional SME centres to bolster client acquisition. The adoption of a hybrid onboarding model combines in-branch and tablet-based approaches, supported by a robust loan origination system and comprehensive cash management tools, enhancing the overall client onboarding experience and efficiency in SME financing.
