ALLIANCE BANK SPONSORS BEST BANK INTERIOR DESIGN AWARD 2006

Kuala Lumpur, January 26, 2006 - In an effort to cultivate and nurture the creativity and talents of local interior designers, Alliance Bank, together with the Institut Perekabentuk Dalaman Malaysia (IPDM) has organised "The Best Bank Interior Design Award 2006".

Members of IPDM who are practicing Interior Designers and Malaysian-registered Interior Designing firms are invited to submit interior design proposals for Alliance Bank branches in pursuit of interior design excellence of a modern bank. The design proposals for the branches must include design layout for an Electronic Banking Centre, customer service platform, banking hall, Privilege Banking Centre and back office.

"Alliance Bank's sponsorship of the Best Bank Interior Design Award 2006 is in line with our social responsibility conscience in nation building, namely to provide support and recognition to the abilities and talents of Malaysian interior designers."

"The competition is also timely as the Bank is embarking on a branding exercise for our extensive branch network," said Group Chief Executive Officer Bridget Lai.

According to Lai, the designs to be submitted must reflect a contemporary image befitting a progressive organisation and its aspirations.

"The designs must support the Bank's vision of creating "branches of tomorrow" that caters to the lifestyle needs of its varied customer segments that range from entrepreneurs, professionals to the retail consumers. This is part of the bank's strategy to take a differentiated approach to Branch Banking and to reposition its branch network as a key distribution channel for all Consumer Banking business."

"In re-designing and re-shaping our branches, Alliance Bank's desire is to go beyond transactional banking. We want to offer our customers a new branch banking experience that is both appealing and welcoming while, at the same time, appeals to their preferred lifestyle needs," Lai added.

Participants will be judged on the following criteria:

• Contemporary image
• Creativity and Innovation
• Integrative design and quality
• Practicality of design implementation
• Professional presentation

All submissions must reach IPDM Secretarial Office at PAM Centre by 12.00noon on 31st March 2006.

"The Institute is very excited with this partnership. We are particularly pleased that a banking group such as Alliance Bank is playing its role in nation building by encouraging creativity among our pool of local talents in its branch re-designing exercise."

"We are confident that the design proposals for the Best Bank Interior Design Award 2006 will showcase the brilliance and talents of Malaysian interior designers. We would like to encourage IPDM members to fully support this competition and submit their entries." said Mr. Chris Yap Seng Chye, President of IPDM.

"As a spin off from the Best Bank Interior Design Award 2006, it is hope that IPDM Industry Partners (IPDM.IP) will have the opportunity to work with the award winning IPDM Interior Designers on the project(s)," added Mr. Jimmy Tong Kong Sang, Joint Chairman of IPDM.IP.

Winner of the Best Bank Interior Design Award 2006 will receive :

• Cash reward of RM20,000 sponsored by Alliance Bank
• Certificate of Recognition for Distinguished Design
• Invitation to submit detailed design and fees proposal for at least one branch of Alliance Bank subject to the Bank's discretion in contract award and acceptance of proposal fees

Interested participants are advised to contact IPDM Secretariat at tel : 03-6272 5105 for terms and conditions of the competition.

About Alliance Banking Group

The Alliance Banking Group comprises Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad and Alliance Merchant Bank Berhad and has had more than 4 decades of proud history in contributing to the financial community with its innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to business. As a full-fledged financial services provider, the Banking Group continuously strives to provide its customers with excellence and innovation in its services and products.

The Banking Group has over 3,000 employees in more than 77 branches throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.