ALLIANCE BANK SIGNS UP WITH DBKK AND SESB FOR CONSUMER BENEFIT

Kota Kinabalu, 19 September 2005 – The convenience of online payment and over-the-branch counter payment for Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) bills will soon be available at selected Alliance Bank branches in Sabah.

This bill payment convenience became a reality with the signing of Payment Collection Service agreements between Alliance Bank and DBKK and Alliance Bank with SESB today. The agreements were sealed by Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Abu Safian Talib, Managing Director of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Bridget Lai, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank.

With the conclusion of the payment collection service agreements, Alliance Bank will be the first bank to provide over-the-branch counter payment in Sabah for DBKK and SESB bills without any fees incurred by the customers. allianceonline subscribers in Sabah and even those who are based out of Sabah will also find it more convenient to pay their assessment and electricity bills for their properties in Sabah with a click of the mouse.

Alliance Bank’s Group CEO, Bridget Lai said, “Alliance Bank welcomes DBKK and SESB as our allianceonline Business partners. Through this partnership, I am confident that the government agencies will enjoy full fledged internet banking solutions to manage their business more effectively and efficiently.”

Kota Kinabalu Mayor, Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim said the introduction of the service marks a new chapter in the DBKK’s collection agency as it will be more convenient for Kota Kinabalu’s property owners to make their assessment payments wherever they are, through online banking.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, Abu Safian Talib said the new service should provide convenience as well as better cash flow management of bills payment. This will also substantially improve SESB’s own over-the-counter customer service quality as these counters would now be less crowded.

Lai continued to say, “With one of the largest branch network in Sabah, Alliance Bank has a rich legacy in the state. We will continue to leverage on technology to bring banking convenience to the community and to improve our customers’ quality of life.”

In time to come, the bank’s customers will be able to make payments through more electronic channels, such as via SMS, 24-hour eLobbies via ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines and Cheque eXpress Service.

The Bank also hopes to encourage more companies and government agencies to sign up for its allianceonline Business to start enjoying its many benefits which includes disbursement bulk payment services for electronic payment to subscribers’ vendors or suppliers as well as payment services.

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About Alliance Bank and allianceonline

Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad has more than 4 decades of proud history in contributing to the financial community with its innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to business. Alliance Bank's new business direction is focused on delivering growth and performance in the housing, infrastructure, plantations and services sectors.

As a full-fledged financial services provider, Alliance Bank continuously strives to provide its customers, both retail and business with excellence and innovation in its services and products. Alliance Bank has been continuously enhancing its allianceonline business and personal banking services capabilities and performance.

Through allianceonline Business, subscribers will enjoy full fledged internet banking solutions which will allow them to manage their business accounts more effectively and efficiently. This includes payment collection services through Alliance Bank branch network, disbursement bulk payment services for electronic payment to subscribers’ vendors or suppliers as well as payment services.

The Verified by Visa (VbV) credit card payment acceptance service, first in Malaysia, is yet another innovative service from Alliance Bank, which aims to create greater value for ecommerce merchants.

Alliance Bank has over 3,000 employees in 77 branches throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak. The bank has 16 branches in Sabah and Labuan.