Kuala Lumpur, 26 May 2010 - Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (Alliance Bank or "Bank") in partnership with BFM 89.9 proudly presents The Resource Centre, a radio segment which will air daily at 1pm after the news on weekdays starting 7 June 2010.

The Resource Centre, a twenty-minute show that will air every day until December 2010, will feature various financial experts, practitioners and companies to share their expertise and advice that will help SME business owners and managers grow and manage their businesses. Topics include how SMEs can brand and market better, leverage the latest technology, know their obligations as employers and how to get the best out of their people.

Mr Steve Miller, Executive Vice-President, Head of SME Banking at Alliance Bank said, "With Alliance, you're more than just a customer. It's Banking Made Personal. Consistent with our strong client orientation, the bank is constantly looking for different ways to effectively support the real information and business needs of its clients. This partnership with BFM provides Alliance Bank with a new channel to reach and support its SME customers and other members of the SME community."

This partnership with BFM is part of Alliance Bank's larger mission to promote business education programmes within the SME community. This is in line with the Government's mandate to build a strong SME industry in the country because it recognises that the success of the New Economic Model was dependent on how the SMEs fared moving ahead. SMEs in Malaysia, representing about ninety-nine percent of total business establishments, are not only significant in terms of numbers, but more importantly, have contributed significantly to the country's economy in terms of employment, GDP and export figures. Realising its vast potential, SMEs have been identified by the Government as the next engine of growth and given targets to contribute more substantially to the economy.

Tune in to the inaugural Alliance Bank and BFM's The Resource Centre segment come 7 June 2010 at 1pm on FM frequency 89.9 to hear Mr Steve Miller speak about how Alliance Bank helps to support and nurture the growth of SMEs and how Alliance Bank can help you.

The SME segment has always been a key focus of Alliance Bank which aims to be the core banker and main holistic financial services provider for the SMEs. The Bank offers a competitive and comprehensive suite of banking products and services tailored to the needs of and delivered efficiently to each SME client at their convenience. Other value-added SME related initiatives by Alliance Bank include dedicated hotline numbers, the Alliance Bank Business Talks series, the Business Platinum Card as well as the Bank's collaborations with the Chinese and Indian Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the Association of Banks Malaysia (ABM) through workshops and dialogues that aim to raise awareness amongst SMEs on the financing opportunities within the banking industry.

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

The Group has five decades of proud history in contributing to the financial community in Malaysia with its innovative and entrepreneurial business spirit. Today, the Group is involved in the provision of financial services through its principal subsidiaries, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, Alliance Investment Bank Berhad, Alliance Investment Management Berhad and Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad. It provides easy access throughout the country by serving its broad base of customers via multi-pronged delivery channels which include retail branches, Alliance Personal branches, Alliance Rakan branches, Privilege Banking Centres, Islamic Banking Centres, Business Centres, Investment Bank branches, direct marketing offices and unit trust agent offices located nationwide in a mix of rural and urban areas.

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.

BFM 89.9, a 24-hour independent radio station, is Malaysia's first FM radio station focused on business related news and topics. BFM itself offers business education programmes spanning areas like marketing, finance, technology and business productivity to raise the management proficiency of the Malaysian business and professional community. The station targets business executives, business owners, investors and people who aspire to personal and professional success; providing the perfect platform for Alliance Bank to connect directly with its desired audience.

BFM can be heard on frequency FM89.9 in Wilayah Persekutuan, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and parts of Melaka.