ALLIANCE BANK OPENS NEW BRANCH IN KOTA KINABALU

New flagship branch at Sinsuran, designed to serve the needs of Kota Kinabalu's customers and businesses

Kota Kinabalu, 6 August 2007 - Alliance Bank opened its new flagship branch in Sinsuran, signifying Alliance Banking Group's commitment to strengthen its branch footprint in the East Malaysian region.

Located at one of Kota Kinabalu's growing commercial areas, the Sinsuran branch epitomizes the modern day banking in line with global practices that go beyond transactional banking. Individual customers and businesses are able to enjoy full fledge banking facilities offered at the Sinsuran Branch ranging from personal banking for customers including high net worth customers, to share trading, to SME and corporate business financing as well as to investment banking.

Speaking at the branch opening, Datuk Bridget Lai, Alliance Banking Group Chief Executive Officer said, "Due to the Bank's historical linkages, the opening of our Sinsuran Branch is poignant as we are proud of our East Malaysian heritage. Alliance Bank has been present in Sabah for many years and has witnessed the development of the Sabah state. Today, Kota Kinabalu is recognised as a major growth center in Sabah and is one of the fastest growing cities in Malaysia."

The opening of the Sinsuran Branch is a testament of the Group's commitment contribution to the economic development of Sabah, as well as to meet the needs of its customers.

"As a community bank and through our long association with Sabah, Alliance Bank will continue to be present in the state to contribute to the state's growth by offering full fledge banking services and a suite of innovative products to meet the lifestyle needs of our customers and the needs of a thriving business community," said Lai.

Lai also added that as a customer-centric bank, Alliance Bank intends to live up to its brand promise of Banking Made Personal through product innovation and continuous improvements to its banking facilities and its delivery channels. As such, the Sinsuran branch houses a 24-hour e-Banking lobby, a customer sales and service lounge, a Share Trading section, a Privilege Banking Centre, an Alliance Business Centre complemented with a Corporate Banking section and Alliance Investment Bank Berhad (AIBB) branch.

The Privilege Banking Centre is manned by dedicated Customer Relationship Managers who are able to offer financial advisory services to the Bank's high net worth customers, while the Alliance Business Centre and Corporate Banking section will have a dedicated team of financial advisers to offer financial advice to aid the SME and corporate businesses. The AIBB branch provides its clients access to a wide range of financial solutions and is manned by a team of knowledgeable investment bankers specialising in end-to-end investment banking servicing from origination to execution to distribution.

In addition to the facilities, the branch exterior sports a bold, modern and dynamic look, complemented by a warm and friendly interior design. The contemporary look and feel of the Sinsuran branch is part of Alliance Bank's ongoing branch re-branding exercise aimed at offering personalised banking services to customers in a warm, cosy and comfortable setting.

"At Alliance, we believe that banking is relationship-based and we want to continue to nurture this relationship. And hence, the new look and feel of the Sinsuran Branch reflects our commitment towards the community and the value we place on them. To further reinforce this commitment, you will be pleased to know that in this year and next, Alliance will continue to expand and strengthen its branch footprints, nationwide, where our branches will be our key distribution channel for Alliance's Consumer and Commercial banking businesses," she said.

To date, Alliance Bank has a total of 79 branches of which 15 branches are located within Sabah. In Kota Kinabalu itself, Alliance Bank has 3 branches including the Sinsuran Branch.

About Alliance Banking Group

Alliance Banking Group is a dynamic, integrated financial services group offering end-to-end financing solutions through it consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, Islamic banking, investment banking and stock broking businesses as well as unit trust and asset management, providing products and services that are suited for every customer at every stage of their life.

The Group has had five decades of proud history in contributing to the financial community in Malaysia with its innovative and entrepreneurial business spirit. It provides easy access throughout the country serving its broad base of customers via multi-pronged delivery channels including 79 retail branches, 14 Privilege Banking Centres, 19 Hire Purchase hubs, 23 Business Centres, 12 Investment Bank branches, 6 direct marketing offices and 3 unit trust agent offices located nationwide in a mix of rural and urban areas.

Through strategic partnerships, the Alliance Banking Group is also able to offer customers to regional and global platforms.

The Group's aspiration is to be Malaysia's premier integrated financial services group delivering the best customer experience and creating long term shareholder value. Strategic alliances, enhanced group synergy, excellent technology and human capital will be the key to creating long term value for all stakeholders.

Alliance Bank is wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysian Plantations Berhad.