ALLIANCE CONTRIBUTES RM155,000 TO SUPPORT EDUCATION

Malacca, 27 June 2007 - As part of its corporate social responsibility programme, Alliance Bank is contributing more than RM155,000 to over 14 Chinese Independent Schools across Malaysia through its Alliance-Chinese Independent School (CIS) Affinity Card Programme.

At a cheque presentation ceremony held at Pay Fong High School in Malacca, Alliance Bank Senior Vice President, Head of Credit Card and Personal Loan, Ken Chew, thanked the school, its teachers, students and their parents for their show of support towards the Programme.

Pay Fong High School was the first Chinese Independent School to sign up for the Alliance Affinity Card Programme in 2006. Since then, Alliance Bank has entered into partnerships with more than 14 schools across Malaysia and has seen a gradual but steady increase in its CIS Affinity card base, reflecting the growing support for the Programme.

"Education is the foundation on which the future of our children and our nation is built. As a community-centred bank, Alliance Bank is pleased that we are able to do our bit through our contributions via the Alliance CIS Affinity Card Programme," said Chew.

Alliance Bank's CIS Affinity Card Programme is the first to incorporate a micro-donation feature that enables cardholders to make cash-less donations to a Chinese Independent School of their choice to help fund the school's activities. Donations can be made either as a pledge that will be debited from their CIS Affinity card or as redeemable bonus points which will be converted to cash value by the Bank and then donated to the school.

Further supplementing the card holder's donation, Alliance Bank will, in turn, contribute a particular percentage of the total retail spending of the card member to the same CIS of choice. This represents an additional and direct contribution from the Bank, a move that will augment the school's fund-raising efforts while helping card members to fulfil their desire to support education, in general, and their alma mater, in particular.

To date, Alliance Bank's independent contributions range from RM1,000 to RM50,000 per school depending on the cardholders' spending.

Alliance Bank is one of the leading co-brand credit card issuers in Malaysia, offering a range of successful co-brand and affinity cards that meet the varied lifestyle and business needs of its consumers. From the Alliance Business Platinum MasterCard for entrepreneurs to the fast-growing Alliance-IKEA card to the first co-brand card in the multi-level marketing industry, the Alliance eCosway card, the Bank's year-on-year total card spend had outpaced the industry's trend by 50%.

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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, 12 Privilege Banking Centres, 19 Hire Purchase hubs, 23 Business Centres, 12 Investment Bank branches, 8 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.