Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (Alliance Bank) announced a net profit after tax of RM512.7 million for the nine months ended 31 December 2023 (9MFY2024).

Net interest income grew 1.8% year-on-year (“YOY”), driven by higher loans volume while net interest margin was at 2.48%. Non-interest income (excluding brokerage) performed well, growing 18.9% to RM230.7 million, mainly from higher wealth management income, foreign exchange fees as well as banking services fees. Overall revenue grew 3.7% YOY to RM1.5 billion while cost-to-income ratio was at 48.2%.

The Bank maintained its growth velocity in the business banking segment, acquiring 9,200 new-to-bank business customers and achieving double digit SME loan growth.

This enabled the Bank to continue gaining SME loan market share, which has now exceeded 5.1%. The Bank’s focus on supporting business customers through their life cycle has translated into strong growth in business banking client fee income (+28% YOY).

The consumer segment continued to expand at an accelerated pace with 80,000 new-to-bank customers, driven by digital acquisition and focus on the emerging affluent segment. Accordingly, consumer loans grew 10.8% YOY, outpacing the industry’s 6.6% growth as at December 2023.

The Bank’s efforts in embedding ESG in its business strategy have led to its sustainability loans growth doubling YOY to RM380 million in financing approved via its Sustainability Assistance Programme (“SAP”), representing over 120% of the Bank’s FY2024 target of RM300 million in green financing. SAP, which offers practical ESG consultations, diagnostic assessments, and personalised financial and non-financial assistance to support SMEs on their sustainability journey, was recently awarded with a Gold in the ESG category at the Qorus Reinvention Awards – APAC 2023.

On the Islamic banking front, the Bank sustained its momentum at 7% YOY growth driven by its flagship Halal in One Programme which helps business owners venture into and succeed in the halal sector.

In December 2023, Alliance Islamic Bank launched the Zakat Microfinancing Programme, Malaysia’s first Islamic social funding programme which utilises zakat wakalah to help uplift the livelihoods of underserved asnaf micro-entrepreneurs.

The Bank successfully achieved a cumulative RM12.3 billion of new sustainable banking business as it moves closer towards the RM15 billion FY2027 goal.

The Bank further strengthened its partnership with UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (“UNGCMYB”) with an extended 3-year partnership announcement as well as jointly-launching a digital climate assessment tool called PRO-GRESS, enabling SMEs to assess their sustainability status and generate a Climate Action plan for their businesses.

At the same time, the Bank will also run capacity building workshops with UNGCMYB to assist SMEs in sustainable-trade readiness and business resiliency towards ESG compliance, supported by the Sarawak state government.

Touch ‘n Go is ushering in the year of the Dragon with the launch of its limited-edition Touch ‘n Go Chinese New Year Edition Charm.

The charm’s design of a mystical dragon carrying a Chinese gold ingot is aesthetic and
playful, with the use of vibrant red symbolising luck and joy, while the gold ingot signifies wealth and prosperity. It creates a visual narrative of prosperous blessings and well-wishes, making it a great festive gift as well as a collectible.

It is an adorable travel accessory and a constant reminder of resilience and good luck. With the integration of Touch ‘n Go’s homegrown, cutting-edge technology, the charm, equipped with Near-Field Communications (NFC), can be linked to the Touch ‘n Go eWallet via an NFC-enabled smartphone, and customers can reload their balance, anytime, anywhere.

Similar to the enhanced Touch ‘n Go card, it can be used for payments at tolls, transit, and parking, providing cashless and seamless convenience.

The Touch ‘n Go Chinese New Year Edition Charm is priced at RM30 each, with only a limited number available. It can be purchased from the Touch ‘n Go Official Shopee Mall store, as well as at Touch ‘n Go Service and Sales Centres at NU Sentral and Bangsar South.

CelcomDigi Berhad (CelcomDigi) is hosting its first 5G Experience Roadshow at The Rain Tree Plaza, Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) to get more businesses and consumers experience the power of 5G, from today to 25 February 2024!

At the roadshow, the CelcomDigi’s Business Experiential section highlights the transformative potential of 5G technology for enterprise and business applications such as private 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud, and cybersecurity.

Visitors can experience some of these 5G technology innovations including AI-powered surveillance systems, the Metaverse for telemedicine and productivity, active telematics for fleet management, comprehensive healthcare solution software, as well as safety and security solutions for manufacturing workforce management.

There is also a section where visitors can reimagine their connected home, powered by
CelcomDigi’s Fibre, CelcomDigi 5G Home WiFi and Fibre-To-The-Room ultra-fast up to 1Gbps connectivity.

Here, visitors will experience how CelcomDigi Fibre can enrich their home entertainment, online gaming experience and power their smart home Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Some of the smart solutions for connected homes that visitors can expect to see here at the roadshow are Xiaomi smart surveillance solutions, smart pet keeper tools, cool and
clean air device bundles, among others.

For visitors who are hardcore gamers, they should not miss the chance to check out the new ROG Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router, which will only be available in Malaysia in March 2024, as well as the new PlayStation5 Slim Edition, all available through registrations with CelcomDigi Fibre 300Mbps and above.

Visitors can also find out how to set up a Samsung home theatre to experience ultra-smooth streaming with immersive audio-visual system and enjoy Sooka packages for sports and family entertainment. Exciting offers await visitors @ CelcomDigi 5G Experience Roadshow

(Aerodyne), a global leader in drone-based enterprise solutions provider headquartered in Malaysia today inked an agreement with DroneDash Technologies (DroneDash), a leading air mobility company headquartered in Singapore.

This initiative is set to introduce cross-border drone delivery services between Malaysia and Singapore, leveraging the specialised technologies of both entities to boost logistics efficiency across the two countries and advance the region’s delivery and supply chain capabilities.

In aligning with the agreement, Aerodyne and DroneDash will navigate the regulatory framework, securing all necessary permits to pioneer shore-to-shore drone operations along the Malaysia-Singapore corridor. This venture is supported by the latest in unmanned sea and air technologies, heralding a new era of logistical efficiency.

Central to the operation is a cutting-edge navigation system, crafted from satellite communications with expansive dual city 5G roaming, to ensure drones safely navigate through congested maritime and aerial paths, significantly boosting operational safety and reliability.

The initiative will initially focus on establishing delivery routes to Johor Bahru and Iskandar Malaysia, strategically chosen for their proximity to Singapore. This phase sets the foundation for future expansion throughout Malaysia, with commercial operations anticipated to start in the third quarter of 2024.

The deployment of drones, capable of carrying up to 30 kilograms and achieving speeds of 150 km/h within a four-hour flight span, promises secure and efficient deliveries.

“Organisations in the logistics, cargo delivery and freight services sector stand to gain a double-digit percentage improvement in overall productivity and cost. Drone deliveries are also beneficial for the environment with emissions and carbon footprint being reduced by up to 100 per cent and 80 per cent respectively,” said Paul Yam, CEO of DroneDash.

“Drone deliveries are transforming the speed and reach of logistics operations, and they can help reach remote areas where traditional air and sea freight are unable to access. They also add to the creation of a revitalised and vibrant logistic sector through job creation in operating and maintaining the drones.”

 “With the formation of the recent Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), we are proud to play a part in strengthening economic connectivity between the two regions,” said Mudzakkir Hatta, CEO of Aerodyne (Malaysia’s operation). “We look forward to venturing beyond the state of Johor with increased shipments to other parts of Malaysia, forging a longstanding trade cooperation with the two partnering nations.”      

Designed for critical deliveries such as urgent documents, high-value electronics, medical supplies, and perishable foods, this service promises to redefine logistics between Malaysia and Singapore. With real-time tracking, advanced security protocols including 256-bit encryption, and blockchain technology for logistical oversight, this initiative establishes a new benchmark for secure, efficient cross-border logistics.