AFFIN Bank : Expands Its SME Outreach To The Northern Region

media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	8 SEPTEMBER 2023

AFFIN EXPANDS ITS SME OUTREACH TO THE NORTHERN REGION

KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank Berhad ("AFFIN BANK" or "the Bank") today organised the AFFIN SME BizChat at The Light Hotel, Penang. The AFFIN SME BizChat focused on "Empowering SMEs for a Sustainable Tomorrow", necessitating a comprehensive strategy that encompassed awareness building, financial support, technological innovation, collaboration, and policy advocacy.

With the theme "Empowering SMEs for a Sustainable Tomorrow", this AFFIN SME BizChat is focused on ESG awareness and encouraging the adoption of ESG values that promote fairness and responsible business practises for a thriving and healthy economy for our customers in the northern region. The primary attendees consisted of AFFIN BANK's existing customers, business partners, members of business associations and state agencies.

A panel discussion among key industry leaders and AFFIN BANK partners such as the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), MATRADE, The Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) and Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) Malaysia was held at the conference. On that note, NCIA presented the key presentation on "Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Northern Corridor Economic Region".

Chief Executive Officer of Affin Islamic Bank Berhad, YBhg. Dato' Paduka Syed Mashafuddin Syed Badarudin said, "AFFIN offers a full range of solutions that are especially created to serve both the financial and non-financial needs of our SMEs inclusively and with relevance in an ever-evolving market as AFFIN Group stays committed to supporting SMEs throughout the many phases and economic cycles.

"We also encourage our valued SMEs to embark on digital transformation through our digital solutions AFFINMAX. AFFINMAX is a fully secured and easy-to-use Corporate Internet Banking, designed exclusively for businesses to perform day-to-day transactions efficiently. It is equipped with an interactive mobile application which help user to perform their business transactions on-the-go. Depending on the size and needs of the business, AFFINMAX also provide a banking solution that can help the businesses to go cashless", he added.

"We want to take this opportunity to provide a financial literacy program and to strengthen the Bank's presence and deepen the banking relationship with customers in the Northern Region. The aim is to continue to help the Rakaniaga to boost brand awareness and increase exposure nationwide; and ultimately drive sales", he concluded.

Following the success of the first AFFIN Rakaniaga Fair at the AFFIN SME BizChat in June 2023, where our partners had a valuable opportunity to expand their commercial network among notable government agencies and like-minded entrepreneurs, the Bank has conducted an AFFIN Rakaniaga Fair at the AFFIN SME BizChat.

To know more about AFFIN BANK's SME BizChat and other initiatives, download our award-winning SME Colony app at www.affinalways.com/en/sme-qr.

The SME Colony mobile app has been notably recognised by the International Finance Corporation with an "Honorable Mention" under the "Production Innovation of the Year 2021" category - the first Malaysian bank to achieve this at the Global SME Finance Awards, as well as "Best Bank for Digital Solutions" in Malaysia at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 2022.

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About AFFIN Group

Affin Bank Berhad operates as the financial holding entity of Affin Islamic Bank Berhad, Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad, Affin Moneybrokers Sdn Bhd. Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad and Generali Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad are affiliated companies of Affin Bank Berhad.

AFFIN Group provides an exhaustive array of financial products and services catering to both individual and corporate clients. The focus market segments are categorised under essential business units such as Community Banking, Enterprise Banking, Corporate Banking, Treasury, and Investment Banking. For more information, please visit https://www.affingroup.com.

For more information, please contact:
Amirah Aliah Azlan	Sharifah Syahirah Syed Azlan
Assistant Manager, Strategic Communications	Assistant Manager, Strategic Communications
Contact Number: [phone]	Contact Number: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]	E-mail: [e-mail]