ALLIANCE BANK SIGNS UP TWO MORE SCHOOLS FOR ITS POPULAR CIS AFFINITY CARD PROGRAMME

Johor Baru, 26 July 2006 - Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd signs on yet another two Chinese Independent Schools (CIS) as partners for its popular CIS Affinity Card Programme, bringing the total number of participating CIS nationwide to 13.

"Alliance Bank welcomes on board Foon Yew High School and Pei Chun High School as partners in our CIS Affinity Card Programme," said Ken Chew, General Manager of Unsecured Lending and Cards, at the partnership signing ceremony in Johor Baru.

"We are extremely encouraged that our CIS Affinity Card has been getting tremendous support from Chinese Independent Schools nationwide. It's an indication that Alliance Bank is on the right track, delivering products that are meeting the needs of our customers," Chew said.

The Alliance CIS Affinity Card comprises the first ever payment card for students aged 12 and above. It allows parents to pre-load the payment card for their children to be used in participating schools, hence reducing the need for cash whilst inculcating responsible financial management from young.

"The use of payment and credit cards is no longer a luxury but a necessity today. However, with convenience comes responsibility and Alliance Bank believes that it is critical to teach responsible financial management from a young age. The payment card for students gives them the opportunity to learn about the basics of budgeting as they learn to stretch the amount they have on their cards till the next top up by their parents.

"The card also gives parents peace of mind knowing that their children are not carrying around large sums of cash. It also enable parents to monitor their children's spending," added Chew.

The CIS Affinity Card also has within it a micro-donation feature that gives parents and ex-students who are cardholders the opportunity to donate towards the schools' development funds. Cardholders can make cash-less donations either via a standing instruction to debit from their card account or pledge their redeemable bonus points

Explained Chew: "The majority of CIS have to undertake various fund-raising activities to maintain and upgrade their schools' facilities and manpower. This can be very time consuming and distracting. Parents and ex-students can now make their contributions through the CIS Affinity Card which offers a simple and convenient way of supporting Chinese education and to preserve Chinese culture and heritage."

Alliance Bank is one of the major issuers of co-brand credit cards in Malaysia with partners that include international home furnisher, IKEA, and successful multi-level marketing company, Cosway.

About Alliance Banking Group

The Alliance Banking Group includes Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, Alliance Merchant Bank Berhad, Kuala Lumpur City Securities and Alliance Unit Trust and has had more than five 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 3,200 employees in more than 77 branches throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.