Malaysia

The Association of Banks in Malaysia 34th Floor UBN Tower 10 Jalan P Ramlee 50250 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel: +603 2078 8041 Fax: +603 2078 8004 Email: banks@abm.org.my Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman Ms Chuah Mei Lin, Executive Director and Liaison Officer

Date: July 2010   Venue: Kuala Lumpur

ABM is a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation among APEC Financial Institutions Dealing with SMEs dated 5 September 2003 which aims to promote financial and technical cooperation amongst member financial institutions that deal with SMEs. ABM will be hosting the event above in July 2010. ABM will be updating the information in this respect from time to time going forward.

Date: 25 Aug 2009   Venue: The Association of Banks in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

ABM proudly hosted the inaugural meeting with representatives from the Uzbekistan Banking Association (UBA) with the objective to promote cooperation between the two Associations and their respective member banks. Both ABM and UBA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to signify a partnership that will enable both Associations and their member banks to explore opportunities and advance regional cooperation.

Date: 11 Aug 2009   Venue: Member banks, Kuala Lumpur

ABM organized a study tour for the Vietnam Banks Association to two of its member banks. The purpose of this study visit was to gain insight on the banks’ experience in credit and customer service catering for SMEs as well as their credit operations and credit risk management framework.

Date: 17 June 2009   Venue: Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

ABM participated in a roundtable meeting for the Italian Banking Association (ABI) which was attended by YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia and representatives of ABI as well as ABM member banks and other financial intermediaries. The objective of this roundtable session was to create an avenue that will allow both the Italian and Malaysian financial sector to engage in a knowledge exchange of each country’s banking and regulatory system and to promote networking opportunities among the financial institutions of both countries.

ABM welcomed its new Chairman, Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar following the retirement of Dato’ Sri Abdul Hamidy Abdul Hafiz who was Chairman of ABM since 2006.

Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid is also the President and CEO of Maybank Group and has been appointed to helm the Association for the term 2009 – 2010.

The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) was formed in November 1973 with the objective of establishing and promoting a sound banking system for commercial banks in Malaysia by cooperating with the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) and relevant authorized bodies. ABM has participated in and pursued wide-ranging issues including formulating and reviewing banking rules, operations and policies to assist the local banking industry in becoming more resilient, competitive and effective in meeting the needs of the changing economy.

In addition, ABM aims to facilitate a conducive banking environment, promote orderliness and ethical banking practices covering a wide scope involving operations' policies, human capital development, consumer education and awareness, risk management and regional activities.

Accordingly, member banks’ contributions to socio-economic planning and development of their country and ABM’s collaboration with government ministries, private sector groups and relevant organizations are some of the issues that form ABM’s agenda and its contribution to its nation.

ABM has 22 commercial bank members at present, comprising 9 domestic banks and 13 locally incorporated international banks operating in Malaysia. Commercial banks constitute the largest and most important group of financial institutions in Malaysia in terms of total assets.

The public can also contact ABM for information on local banking issues by calling a toll-free service in Malaysia called ABMConnect at 1-300-88-9980 or sending a request through ABM’s website.

ABM’s website address is www.abm.org.my