BRANCH EXPANSION FOR ALLIANCE

Subang Jaya, 12 March 2007 – Alliance Bank will continue to strengthen its branch footprint with branch openings including relocation and expansion of existing branches in a mix of rural and urban areas.

Speaking at the relaunch of its Subang Jaya branch as 3 Alliance today, Alliance Banking Group Chief Executive Officer Bridget Lai said, "Today I am pleased to welcome our customers to a whole new banking experience. The new-look Subang Jaya branch, known as 3 Alliance, sports a refreshingly modern and clean look, a reflection of the urban thriving township. Subang Jaya has long been recognised as a key commercial suburb with a myriad of small-and medium-sized enterprises as well as a large retail customer base. The new look presents a brand concept that is contemporary, stylish yet customer-friendly. It complements the vibrant township and underscores our commitment to the community by offering them a new banking experience."

3 Alliance represents the new and bold face of Alliance Bank. It encapsulates the Bank's full offering of servicing capabilities as well as its customer-focused approach to banking. The branch offers a complete range of banking facilities including a dedicated Business Centre, Privilege Banking centre, 24-hour e-Banking lobby and customer sales and service lounge. The interior of 3 Alliance is planned to maximize the fluidity of traffic. Its customer sales and service lounges are designed to ensure privacy without inhibiting interaction between customers and banking staff.

SMEs can look forward to the facilities of the Business Centre, which has a dedicated team to provide financial expertise to help SMEs nurture and grow their business. 3 Alliance will also house over 300 employees at its new 80-seater Contact Centre, its Telesales and Collection and Recoveries centres in its 4-storey building.

Lai added, "In line with our branch banking strategy to deliver best customer experience and build brand equity, Alliance Bank has added a new branch each in Sibu and Batu Pahat recently, bringing the total of branches to 79. Besides expanding via new branches, we will continue to reposition our branches in market centres either through relocation or expansion depending on the location of the branch."

Alliance Bank plans to aggressively expand its branch footprint and involvement within each community in growing segments and to use its branch network as a key distribution channel for its Consumer and Commercial Banking businesses. Currently 80% of the bank's branches are located in urban areas.

"Alliance Bank's approach to banking is relationship driven and community based. Our aim is to build long-term synergistic relationships with all segments of our customers, meeting their specific needs through sound financial advice, quality service and relevant financial solutions," concluded Lai.

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, 9 Privilege Banking Centres, 19 Hire Purchase hubs, 22 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