KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has been awarded the Top Financial Institution Partner – Commercial Bank Category in 2020 by Credit Guarantee Corp Malaysia Bhd (CGC) at the 26th FI & SME Awards Ceremony.

       Held virtually this year, the annual awards ceremony which has taken place since 1995 recognises financial institutions for its strategic alliances with CGC in enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to have greater access to funding.

       HLB managing director and chief executive officer Domenic Fuda said the bank was honoured to receive this award, as it recognises HLB’s active participation in CGC’s financing schemes and its continued efforts and commitment towards supporting the financing needs of SME businesses, which is a core customer segment of the bank.

       “We have been agile in responding and adapting to the pandemic since its outset with various payment and repayment relief plans as well as loan and financing schemes to not only provide the necessary relief they needed but also to help them recover and invest in making their business more sustainable for future growth,” he said. Since the bank renewed its grassroots and community-based strategic focus in August 2017, HLB has built a 200-strong team of SME Community Business Managers nationwide who continue to build close relationships with SMEs in their local communities.

       by listening to and understanding their diverse and different needs.

       nabling the bank to develop targeted products, services and solutions that are simple and seamless to best serve the SME segment.“As a result, from January to October 2021, HLB has disbursed new financing of RM5.328bil to SME customers, supporting them during the pandemic and just as importantly now that the recovery phase is well underway,” the bank said.