Hong Leong Bank Berhad (HLB) has once again strengthened its leadership in Malaysia’s banking industry by being recognised as the Best SME Bank in Malaysia at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
This is the second year in a row that HLB has won the honour, further cementing its position as the nation’s foremost banking partner for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The recognition comes on the back of a string of similar accolades earlier this year from The Asian Banker and Asian Banking & Finance, reflecting the bank’s consistent performance and commitment to excellence in SME banking.
The achievement highlights a remarkable period for Hong Leong Bank, one where its strategy of combining digital innovation, customer-centric financial solutions and long-term partnerships has translated into tangible growth. It also reflects the deep trust and loyalty the bank has cultivated among SME customers, who continue to form the backbone of Malaysia’s economy.
Over the past year, HLB has recorded strong momentum in the SME segment, with its customer base expanding by 18 percent year-on-year. By the end of 2024, the bank had successfully grown to serve more than 320,000 SME customers across both borrowing and non-borrowing categories.
This expansion demonstrates HLB’s ability to design solutions that meet the diverse needs of Malaysia’s entrepreneurial community, ranging from financing to cash management and digital services.
One of the significant contributors to this growth was the bank’s active participation in the Government Guarantee Scheme MADANI 1.0, under which it enabled over RM280 million in approved financing for more than 360 SMEs in 2024.
This program has provided businesses with greater access to funding opportunities, allowing them to navigate challenging economic conditions while investing in growth. Building on this success, HLB has announced that it will continue to support SMEs under the MADANI 2.0 scheme in 2025 and beyond, ensuring continued access to credit for enterprises of all sizes.
In addition to financing, the bank has invested heavily in digital solutions that simplify banking for SMEs. It has rolled out fully digital onboarding for business accounts, including sole proprietorships, which has made account opening faster and more convenient.
Enhanced offerings in business and foreign currency accounts have also improved accessibility for companies engaged in regional and international trade, enabling SMEs to scale operations with confidence.
Championing SMEs as Drivers of Malaysia’s Economy
For HLB, the recognition from Euromoney and other global platforms is more than an award; it represents a reaffirmation of the bank’s mission to empower SMEs and strengthen their role as a key pillar of the Malaysian economy. Kevin Lam, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HLB, emphasised this vision by noting that the bank’s core purpose is to empower customers to grow their wealth. He stated that by supporting SMEs, who make up the majority of Malaysia’s business landscape, the bank is directly contributing to the nation’s overall prosperity.
Lam highlighted that HLB’s commitment to the SME community goes beyond conventional banking services. The bank seeks to position itself not merely as a financial service provider but as a value-adding partner that understands the bigger picture.
By combining innovative digital tools with expert advisory, HLB enables SMEs to thrive in an economic environment that is continuously shaped by digital disruption and global shifts. Strategic partnerships with industry players also play an important role in bridging the gap between opportunity and execution, ensuring SMEs are equipped with the right resources to pursue diverse business goals while managing challenges effectively.
Driving Digital Leadership in SME Banking
Digital leadership has been a cornerstone of Hong Leong Bank’s SME success. The bank became the first in Malaysia to launch a fully digital eKYC onboarding process for sole proprietors, which allows business accounts to be opened in under ten minutes. This innovation has dramatically reduced barriers for entrepreneurs and small business owners, enabling them to focus on running their businesses instead of navigating lengthy administrative processes.
The bank has continued to enhance its digital offerings with tablet-based partnership onboarding and digital onboarding for foreign currency accounts, both of which provide greater convenience and accessibility. Integration with Weixin Pay has further expanded payment solutions for SMEs, particularly those engaged in cross-border commerce with China and other markets where the platform is widely used.
Alongside these digital advancements, HLB has expanded its advisory services with dedicated SME cash and foreign exchange teams as well as regional SME centres, giving entrepreneurs access to tailored financial guidance and support.
These efforts illustrate HLB’s dual approach of combining technology-driven convenience with personalised advisory. By addressing both efficiency and expertise, the bank ensures that SMEs are better prepared to adapt to shifting market conditions, including foreign exchange volatility, global supply chain disruptions, and evolving consumer demand.
Financial Strength in SME Lending and Portfolio Growth
The bank’s financial performance underscores the effectiveness of its SME banking strategy. For the financial year ended 30 June 2025, HLB recorded a 7.5% year-on-year increase in loans to domestic business enterprises, with total loans exceeding RM70 billion.
Loans and financing to SMEs specifically grew by 8.1 percent year-on-year, surpassing RM40 billion. Meanwhile, the community SME banking portfolio expanded by 10.4 percent, further highlighting the bank’s ability to support businesses across different segments and sizes.
These results reflect the bank’s commitment to driving sustainable growth within the SME sector, even amid external economic uncertainties. They also demonstrate how HLB’s diversified approach combining financing with digital solutions and advisory provides a solid foundation for long-term customer relationships.
Cementing Its Position as Malaysia’s Leading SME Bank
The consecutive recognition as Malaysia’s Best SME Bank by Euromoney, along with awards from The Asian Banker and Asian Banking & Finance, confirms Hong Leong Bank’s role as the country’s premier financial partner for SMEs. These accolades highlight the trust that businesses place in HLB, and they serve as validation of the bank’s ongoing efforts to combine innovation, accessibility, and expertise in a competitive industry.
Looking forward, Hong Leong Bank is expected to continue strengthening its SME banking portfolio by expanding digital capabilities, forging new partnerships, and supporting businesses through targeted financing schemes. By doing so, the bank not only helps entrepreneurs seize opportunities but also contributes to the resilience and prosperity of Malaysia’s economy as a whole.
For more information please visit Hong Leong Bank website.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
