Terry KS Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has secured three top honors at the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Retail Banking Awards 2025, underscoring its successful five-year transformation journey and leadership in SME banking, cash management, and digital innovation.
MALAYSIA, 21 AUGUST 2025 – Hong Leong Bank (“HLB” or “the Bank”) has been recognized with three prestigious awards at the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Retail Banking Awards 2025, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing five-year transformation program.
The Bank was named Best SME Bank in Malaysia for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting its strong market leadership in serving small and medium enterprises. HLB’s diverse financial solutions, personalized advisory services, and pioneering digital platforms have fueled an 11.6% year-on-year growth in SME loans and financing — nearly double the industry average of 6.7%. With an extensive branch network, flexible account opening options, and intuitive online touchpoints, HLB continues to enhance accessibility and convenience for business owners nationwide.
HLB also earned the title of Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year, recognizing its ability to deliver sophisticated cash management solutions to over 700 corporate clients. Through real-time API integration, businesses can automate same-day fund transfers, while centralized cash consolidation services ensure better liquidity control and streamlined reconciliation. The platform’s high adoption rate — over 99% utilization and 95.52% customer retention — highlights the Bank’s success in driving operational efficiency and financial oversight for clients.
The third accolade, Digital Transformation of the Year, celebrates HLB’s groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence and data innovation in its collections operations. Since 2018, the Bank has deployed an industry-first, fully integrated web-based collections platform featuring a predictive dialing system, AI-powered voice bots, and secure remote capabilities. These advancements have boosted monthly call volumes by 47% and enabled 20% of collections officers to be redeployed to higher-value roles.
Kevin Lam, HLB’s Group Managing Director and CEO, said, “This isn’t just about winning awards; it’s about reimagining how we do banking. Two years ago, we set out on our bankwide transformation plan, and these accolades prove we’re on the right track. By reshaping our structures, redefining the customer journey, and embedding innovation at every level, we are building a future-ready bank that balances digital excellence with a human touch.”
HLB’s transformation journey continues as it seeks to embed more digital innovations, reaffirming its commitment to delivering elevated, customer-centric banking experiences across all segments.