MICHAEL HAGUE BEGINS DUTIES AS NEW RHB BANK CEO

03 June 2002, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-The new Chief Executive Officer of RHB Bank Berhad ("RHB Bank") Mr Michael Hague officially began his duties at the helm of Malaysia"s third largest bank today.

Mr.Hague who has broad-based experience and knowledge in all aspects of banking both local and international is set to lead RHB Bank on to the next level of growth given the bank"s strategic initiatives in ebanking and technology as well as aggressive expansion in the areas of consumer, commercial and Islamic banking.

"RHB Bank through its bankwide transformation initiative has in place a solid foundation both operations wise and in its vast resources of technology, people and financial strength. These are very strong fundamentals and it will be my challenge to lead the bank into the future as a premier Malaysian bank offering products and services of international standard," he said.

Mr. Hague, 42, graduated with honours from Loughborough University, United Kingdom in Economics in 1981 and has over twenty-one years experience as an international commercial banker, of which the last four years have been in Malaysia as Country Chief Executive and Head, Corporates and Institutions for Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad. Mr. Hague has also held senior management positions for Standard Chartered Bank in Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore and Taiwan.

Mr. Hague is currently Chairman of the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee of Malaysia (CDRC) and Director of Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM). He sits on the board of directors of the Credit Guarantee Corporation, an institution established by Bank Negara Malaysia, British Malaysian Institute, a technology training institute set up by the British and Malaysian governments, the Malaysian Institute of Banks and a council member of The Association of Banks in Malaysia.

Issued by RHB Public Affairs & Communications. For further information, please contact Celina May Ong at Tel:03-92802535.