ALLIANCE BANK UNVEILS A NEW BANKING EXPERIENCE AT KLANG

Klang, 6 July 2006 - Alliance Bank today unveiled its new flagship branch in Klang which has the distinction of design and features to provide fully integrated services to meet the financial needs of the community in Klang.

Chairman Dato' Thomas Lee and Group Chief Executive Officer Bridget Lai officiated the opening of the Alliance Bank Klang Branch today and with that, unveiled the new look for Alliance Bank branches that epitomises Alliance Bank as a totally integrated financial services group that offers comprehensive financial solutions to meet every life stage needs of its customers and to enhance their overall banking experience.

As the first, it will be the flag bearer of Alliance Bank's branch network that will undergo a makeover to reflect a new brand of branches that will be differentiated yet appealing and fulfilling in meeting the needs of different market segments. Sporting a bold, modern façade, the Klang branch occupies over 8,338 sq feet of space and presents a brand concept that appeals to and accommodates to both consumers and commercial customers.

"The new branch design helps to strengthen Alliance Bank's positive journey to grow aggressively branch banking by creating a strong presence in growing segment areas using different branch concepts to appeal to different target segments. The new-face of Alliance Bank's Klang Branch underscores our commitment to Klang's community to offer them a new banking experience. The interior of the branch depicts a modern and warm ambience that conveys Alliance Bank's investment in building customer relationships, which goes beyond transactional banking," said Alliance Bank's Group Chief Executive Officer, Bridget Lai.

In recognition of the growing importance of Klang as one of the fastest growing commercial hub in the state, the Klang Branch offers a full-range of banking facilities including a dedicated SME Business Centre, Privilege Banking, 24-hour e-Banking lobby, a consumer sales and service lounge, and a Kuala Lumpur City Securities (KLCS) Share Trading Gallery for both the individual and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) customers.

Lai also explained that the small and medium enterprises can look forward to the facilities of the SME Business Centre, which has a dedicated team of Business Managers to provide financial expertise to help SMEs nurture and grow their business.

"Alliance Bank's approach to differentiated banking includes building a long-term synergistic relationship with our SME clientele. We will continue to channel our efforts in meeting the specific financial needs of our SME clientele through new SME schemes and advisory services as well as aid them in incubating and growing their businesses to meet the challenges of globalisation," she affirmed.

Customers who want to trade and monitor shares trading can also do so from the branch's Share Trading Gallery which provides the stock-banking facility within the branch.

The Klang Branch embraces aesthetic elements that create a welcoming and appealing ambience, where customers will be greeted by a concierge as they enter the bank. While the concierge is an unusual feature for a bank, it is essential to differentiate the banking experience of not just greeting but attending to and assisting customers.

"Banking is essentially a relationship-based business," said Lai. "To build on the relationship, we have to understand our customers, their needs, and customise our services to meet their expectations."

From better customer insights and understanding, Alliance Bank's branch re-branding exercise will see its 77 branches adopting a different branch configuration that best suits, the customers' profile and demographics of the branches and its locale.

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 3,700 people and has 77 branches in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.