Bigger presence

By LEONG HUNG YEE

PETALING JAYA: Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd (StanChart) hopes to open 15 to 20 branches in urban and city centres over the next three to five years, said managing director Julian Wynter. 

He said the bank should be permitted to open new branches in city centres as most of its branches were established outside city centres and had been operational for many years.  

“Out of 37 branches, only 10 are serving our customers in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley. Over 70% of our branches are outside city centres. 

From left: Julian Wynter, StanChart Kota Damansara consumer banking manager Jenny Tan Li Pei and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal at the launch. – BERNAMA

A wider branch network might be something the bank aspired to have but growing organically would remain the theme, Wynter said. 

He said the bank was considering setting up a subsidiary for its Islamic banking operations. “It is a viable option. Our Islamic assets doubled to US$2.4bil last year,” he said, adding that StanChart had yet to set a timeframe to apply for an Islamic banking licence.  

StanChart had invested US$12mil to open four new branches, including the one in Kota Damansara, and the refurbishment of two branches.  

The bank also announced the enhancement of its Internet banking facilities, including third-party fund transfers, bills payment via credit cards, as well as through current and savings accounts.