KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Leong Bank ("HLB" or the "Bank") has been named the Best Managed Bank in Malaysia at The Asian Banker ("TAB") Global Leadership Achievement Awards 2026, attributed to the Bank modernizing its digital foundation, reducing dependency on legacy tech, and focusing on operational excellence and efficiency gains through its 3-5 year bankwide transformation plan.
Complementing this, Kevin Lam, HLB's Group Managing Director and CEO, was also named the Best Bank CEO in Malaysia, recognizing his pivotal role in orchestrating the Bank's transformation, including introducing a "Quantum Growth" goal that successfully transitioned HLB into a highly integrated, AI-driven financial institution. In its mission to deliver personalized banking solutions to its customers, the Bank implemented a "One Bank" strategy, eliminating legacy silos in favor of a unified, cross-functional ecosystem, which has yielded a market-leading Cost-to-Income Ratio ("CIR") that has consistently hovered below the 40% mark, a benchmark for operational efficiency in the region.
This growth was achieved alongside impeccable asset quality, where HLB continues to report a Gross Impaired Loan ("GIL") ratio of below 0.65%, significantly outperforming the industry average and demonstrating the Bank's foundation of robust credit risk management and data-centric underwriting.
Reflecting on the milestone, Kevin Lam commented, "This recognition may seem like a finish line, but for us it's a catalyst for our next phase of evolution. Our transformation journey was about building a future-ready infrastructure where AI and data-driven insights allow us to move from generic services to efficiently delivering hyper-personalized financial solutions. By integrating AI into the fabric of our bank, we are transitioning towards becoming a proactive partner. Whether through predictive wealth management or seamless digital onboarding journeys, our innovation is always anchored in our Built Around You promise, where we look for innovative solutions to cater to our customers' diversified needs. Looking ahead, we will continue to pioneer products that don't just meet market standards, but anticipate the specific, evolving needs of our customers in an increasingly complex global economy."
TAB attributed the awards to the Bank's disciplined navigation of a complex transformation, which has moved the institution from a position of stability to one of aggressive, tech-led growth. A central pillar of this recognition was the "One Bank" consolidated banking philosophy, which prioritized long-term customer outcomes through strategic branch transformation initiatives such as launching diversified branch models that cater to different segments of society, enabling the Bank to manage customers from across all segments effectively. For SME customers, HLB also offers solutions across their operations that meet the business owners' personal banking and business banking needs.
This is most evident in HLB's structured lifecycle migration model for SME banking, where growing retail SMEs are seamlessly transitioned to Commercial & Corporate Banking as they scale, ensuring the Bank retains holistic relationships by evolving alongside its clients rather than losing them to legacy institutional barriers.
The Bank has also consistently championed AI integration throughout its operations, and has recently democratised the use of AI by providing all its employees with access to AI tools, allowing employees to shift their focus from routine processing toward strategic problem-solving and high-value innovation.
HLB has recently accelerated its momentum through several strategic initiatives aimed at deepening its customer-centric ecosystem. Within the wealth management segment, HLB has enhanced its regional capabilities through a landmark strategic alliance between HLB Private Banking and Lombard Odier, blending global private banking excellence with local market insights. This was further complemented by the refresh of HLB Priority, which transitioned the affluent segment toward an advisory-led model focused on long-term stewardship. Simultaneously, the Bank elevated its Shariah-compliant offerings via the rebranding of HLB Islamic, introducing the Hayat @ HLB Islamic proposition to provide holistic, value-based financial solutions. To ensure physical accessibility remains a priority, the Bank also introduced the innovative Meet @ HLB branch concept, providing flexible banking services and specialized support within the heart of Malaysia's growing townships.
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Hong Leong Bank Awarded Best Managed Bank in Malaysia by The Asian Banker, Group MD/CEO Kevin Lam Named Best Bank CEO in Malaysia
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Sinopec's Zhong Ren Delivers Keynote Speech and Receives Global South Outstanding Contribution Award
CAIRO, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum Chinese-Arab Partnership Conference was held on May 13 in Cairo, Egypt, under the theme "Pooling Wisdom, Embarking on a New Journey: Jointly Building a China-Arab Community with a Shared Future."
Mr. Zhong Ren, director of the board of Sinopec Group, attended the Conference and delivered a keynote speech titled "Building a Foundation with Energy, Driving New Growth with Innovation, and Connecting Through Culture," sharing Sinopec's practices and insights in China-Arab cooperation and accentuating the group's firm commitment to contributing to a closer China-Arab community with a shared future.
For its active engagement in cooperation initiatives, its exceptional contribution to promoting mutual trust and amplifying the voice of the Global South, as well as its demonstrated spirit of collaboration and outstanding leadership, Sinopec was presented with the Global South Media and Think Tank Cooperation & Communication Partnership Outstanding Contribution Award.
In his keynote, Mr. Zhong noted that the friendship between China and Arab states spans over a millennium and continues to grow stronger. Chinese and Arab civilizations have complemented and inspired each other, setting a shining example of dialogue and mutual learning among world civilizations. Under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, China-Arab relations have embraced new historical opportunities. As highlighted in the Think Tank report "Achievements, Opportunities, and Prospects of China-Arab Cooperation in the New Era" released by Xinhua News Agency, China-Arab cooperation has injected stability and certainty into the world and set a benchmark for South-South cooperation.
"Sinopec has always adhered to the principle that 'energy security means common security and energy development means coordinated development.' We have been deeply involved in landmark projects such as the Yanbu Refinery in Saudi Arabia and the Al-Zour Refinery in Kuwait, while continuously expanding oil and natural gas trade and promoting the coordinated development of traditional energy and green new energy," he said.
At the same time, Sinopec is accelerating its digital and intelligent transformation, building an independent and controllable AI system as well as an international omnimedia communication matrix, contributing to the development of the Global South's independent discourse system. In terms of cultural exchange, Sinopec has established "Silk Road Book Houses" in eight Arab countries, donating over 10,000 books and training more than 100,000 local professional and technical personnel, continuously building a bridge for dialogue and people–to–people connectivity between China and the Arab states.
Mr. Zhong noted that the upcoming Second China-Arab States Summit will surely inject new momentum into China-Arab relations and South-South cooperation. Sinopec is ready to join hands with all partners to contribute greater efforts toward building an even closer China-Arab community with a shared future.
The two-day event co-hosted by Xinhua and the League of Arab states gathered about 250 representatives from around 110 media outlets, think tanks, government institutions, and enterprises from China and Arab countries, as well as from international and regional organizations.
Sinopec's Zhong Ren Delivers Keynote Speech and Receives Global South Outstanding Contribution Award
CAIRO, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum Chinese-Arab Partnership Conference was held on May 13 in Cairo, Egypt, under the theme "Pooling Wisdom, Embarking on a New Journey: Jointly Building a China-Arab Community with a Shared Future."
Mr. Zhong Ren, director of the board of Sinopec Group, attended the Conference and delivered a keynote speech titled "Building a Foundation with Energy, Driving New Growth with Innovation, and Connecting Through Culture," sharing Sinopec's practices and insights in China-Arab cooperation and accentuating the group's firm commitment to contributing to a closer China-Arab community with a shared future.
For its active engagement in cooperation initiatives, its exceptional contribution to promoting mutual trust and amplifying the voice of the Global South, as well as its demonstrated spirit of collaboration and outstanding leadership, Sinopec was presented with the Global South Media and Think Tank Cooperation & Communication Partnership Outstanding Contribution Award.
In his keynote, Mr. Zhong noted that the friendship between China and Arab states spans over a millennium and continues to grow stronger. Chinese and Arab civilizations have complemented and inspired each other, setting a shining example of dialogue and mutual learning among world civilizations. Under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, China-Arab relations have embraced new historical opportunities. As highlighted in the Think Tank report "Achievements, Opportunities, and Prospects of China-Arab Cooperation in the New Era" released by Xinhua News Agency, China-Arab cooperation has injected stability and certainty into the world and set a benchmark for South-South cooperation.
"Sinopec has always adhered to the principle that 'energy security means common security and energy development means coordinated development.' We have been deeply involved in landmark projects such as the Yanbu Refinery in Saudi Arabia and the Al-Zour Refinery in Kuwait, while continuously expanding oil and natural gas trade and promoting the coordinated development of traditional energy and green new energy," he said.
At the same time, Sinopec is accelerating its digital and intelligent transformation, building an independent and controllable AI system as well as an international omnimedia communication matrix, contributing to the development of the Global South's independent discourse system. In terms of cultural exchange, Sinopec has established "Silk Road Book Houses" in eight Arab countries, donating over 10,000 books and training more than 100,000 local professional and technical personnel, continuously building a bridge for dialogue and people–to–people connectivity between China and the Arab states.
Mr. Zhong noted that the upcoming Second China-Arab States Summit will surely inject new momentum into China-Arab relations and South-South cooperation. Sinopec is ready to join hands with all partners to contribute greater efforts toward building an even closer China-Arab community with a shared future.
The two-day event co-hosted by Xinhua and the League of Arab states gathered about 250 representatives from around 110 media outlets, think tanks, government institutions, and enterprises from China and Arab countries, as well as from international and regional organizations.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Global South Media and Think Tank Forum Chinese-Arab Partnership Conference Opens in Cairo
