RHB Bank launches programme to enhance credit management

Kuala Lumpur, 10 July 2007: RHB Bank Bhd (“RHB Bank”) has made a commitment to strive for excellence in credit management, and an in-house credit development and training programme has been launched to drive this campaign across the bank.

The effort, which began with an intensive three-month workshop to train several trainers, is aimed at enhancing the credit skills of employees and to build a credit culture within the organisation.

This will further boost the credit skills of RHB Bank employees to a level where they will be able to meet the challenges currently faced in the banking and finance industry, both locally and regionally, said Chairman of RHB Bank, Datuk Azlan Zainol.

“This is also in line with the objective of Bank Negara Malaysia in its efforts to address the credit issues in the Malaysian financial services sector,” he added.

Datuk Azlan was speaking at a graduation ceremony for the participants of the bank’s Train-the-Trainers Workshop here today. Also present at the ceremony were Dr Kamal Khir, the Chief Executive Officer of Institute of Bankers Malaysia (IBBM) and Mr Michael J. Barrett, the Chief Executive Officer of RHB Bank.

The bank’s effort began with an intensive three-month workshop for a group of employees specially selected from a talent pool. These individuals were trained to become in-house trainers and upon graduation, will lead a highly-customised training and development programme to boost their colleagues’ credit skills and understanding.

Under the programme, all RHB employees who have been given the responsibility to handle credit are required to go through an accreditation programme. At the end of the programme, the participants will sit for an assessment based on 13 modules of credit to test their credit skills. Upon passing, they will receive an accreditation certificate.

The ultimate goal is to create a credit culture within the bank.

Mr Barrett said RHB Bank had chosen Omega Performance Corporation as the partner to roll out the credit development and training programme based on the fact that it had a good track record and significant success especially with financial institutions worldwide.

He also noted that Bank Negara had already championed the CCP (Certified Credit Professional) qualification. “I believe our move in having an in-house credit development and training programme will serve to complement the CCP, which is being offered by IBBM, and further enhance current best practices in credit,” he added.

Managing Director of Omega Performance Asia-Pacific, Mr Alan Blair, said his company had been looking for opportunities to become RHB Bank’s partner in credit development and training. “We are honoured to be able to contribute to the Malaysian banking industry’s credit development,” he added.

The in-house trainers will commence their own workshops in the last week of July.

RHB Bank, the commercial banking unit of the RHB Banking Group, offers a wide range of corporate, commercial and consumer banking as well as treasury products and services. It also offers equipment and motor vehicle financing through its RHB Delta Finance Division, as well as Islamic banking services through its subsidiary, RHB ISLAMIC Bank Bhd.

Issued on behalf of RHB Bank Bhd by Group Corporate Communications, RHB Capital Bhd. For more information, please call Yeoh Guan Jin at 03-92802536 or 012-3835027 or Akmal Baqi at 03-92802776 or 012-6658704.