ALLIANCE BANK AND IPDM PICK BEST IN BANK INTERIOR DESIGN AWARD 2006 WINNER

Kuala Lumpur, 2 June 2006 - Erric Chew Weng Leong of Hospitality Design Sdn Bhd pipped 13 interior designers to walk away with the Best Bank Interior Design Award 2006 and RM20,000 in prize money.

The contest was organised by Alliance Bank together with Institut Perekabentuk Dalaman Malaysia (IPDM) in an effort to cultivate and nurture the creativity and talent of local interior designers.

Alliance Bank Group CEO Bridget Lai presented the award to Chew at a ceremony held at the Bank recently. "From the entrants received, it is obvious that Malaysia has a substantial talent pool into which local and multinational corporations can tap. Alliance Bank is proud to be able to play a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting the development of these local creative talents."

IPDM President Chris Yap Seng Chye said that the institute was glad to have taken the lead together with Alliance Bank in recognising talents from the local interior design industry through the awards.

"We are fortunate to have Alliance Bank's support in this award. Design awards such as this will challenge and encourage local designers to do excel. This, in turn, will help raise the level of creativity and maturity of the local interior design industry," Yap explained.

The winning entry fulfilled the following criteria:

• A contemporary image that offers a seamless flow between the different areas in the branch, while reflecting a subtle lifestyle with fresh appeal to exude a sense of warmth and hospitality to walk-in customers.
• Creativity and innovation of which the design layout included an Electronic Banking Centre, Customer Service Platform, Banking Hall, a Privilege Banking Centre and a Back Office.
• Integrative design and quality of which the design optimised the placement of merchandising opportunities that is different from the current merchandising displays.
• Practicality of design implementation
• Professional presentation

The judging committee comprised Chris Yap Seng Chye, President of IPDM, Ronnie Choong, President of MSID, Dr Tan Loke Mun, President of PAM, Simon Ong, Past President of Society Interior Design Singapore and Bridget Lai, Group CEO of Alliance Bank.

Chew's winning design scored the highest points for its practicality, straight forward yet fresh approach for banking purposes.

"Chew's design encapsulates succinctly the design brief of creating a branch of tomorrow, taking into consideration the varied lifestyle needs of today's banking public. The use of graphics, colours and designer furniture pieces enhances the concept of banking which the competition strives to seek out," revealed Chris Yap.

"It has indeed been a pleasant surprise and a great honour for our office to win this particular Award. We had an enjoyable and exciting time designing for Alliance Bank because the brand is young, energetic and, indeed, has potential for growth as the modern bank of tomorrow," enthused Chew.

About Alliance Bank

Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad has had five decades of proud history in contributing to the financial community with its innovative and entrepreneurial business spirit. Since its inception the Bank has been an integral part of Malaysia's history. Over the past 50 years the Bank has grown from strength to strength by observing the basic tenets of prudent financial management, an honourable approach to doing business and an unwavering innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Alliance Bank is wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysian Plantations Berhad. Today Alliance Bank employs over 3,600 people and has 77 branches in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.