Kuala Lumpur, 7 September 2006

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Starhill Gallery today welcomed another icon among the world-renowned brands that are?available in the Gallery of Rich Experiences, as CIMB, the region’s largest investment bank, opened its very first CIMB Bank branch on the Relish Floor.

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Held in conjunction with the transformation of CIMB into a universal banking group called CIMB Group which also boasts a brand new logo, the branch received Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as its very first customer, who opened a bank account and became the first member of CIMB Club, its new priority banking services.

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During a grand ceremony at JW Marriott Hotel earlier, CIMB Group chief executive Dato’ Nazir Razak thanked guests for attending the event with the remark that the invitations for the event had been “oversubscribed”.

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The launch of CIMB Group marks the culmination of the merger of Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad (CIMB), Bumiputra-Commerce Bank Berhad (BCB) and Southern Bank Berhad (SBB).

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The rebranding exercise, with the vision “To be Southeast Asia’s Most Valued Universal Bank”, boasts a new tagline, “Forward Banking” – to reflect the group’s promise to create value to customers through forward thinking.

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“CIMB Bank represents the improved and enhanced consumer banking experience that customers can expect from us,” he said.

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“Forward Banking” is demonstrated at the Starhill Gallery branch with several key features that give CIMB Bank customers a new banking experience. Among them is the introduction of CIMB Club, a priority banking service. CIMB Club customers can enjoy the use of CIMB Club centre facilities, a high level of personalised service, preferential rates, access to tailored financial solutions and invitations to exclusive events.

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The branch also offers the use of biometric equipment for account opening, which used with MyKad, will enable account opening to be done within 10 minutes or less.

“We think that Starhill Gallery is a good location,” Dato’ Nazir said in a press conference earlier, adding that there are two crux of the business – one is the conventional retail business, which would involve capturing business from tourists and shoppers and the other being the business components in Starhill Gallery and the nearby areas.

The CIMB Bank in Starhill Gallery, which the Prime Minister launched after the unveiling of CIMB Group, is the first of the upcoming 383 CIMB Banks that will be introduced, both through opening of new branches and the rebranding of the existing BCB and SBB branches across the nation.

Also present at the event were the top personalities of corporate and financial sector. Among them were YTL Group executive chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong Lay and YTL Group managing director Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh.

Tan Sri Francis later said: “I'm glad that Starhill Gallery has been chosen as the first branch of CIMB Bank's RM80 million rebranding exercise. This historic event proves that Starhill Gallery is indeed the preferred home for iconic brands."

He added CIMB Bank's presence in Starhill Gallery would bring investment banking services to a new level and the new CIMB Bank would cater to the needs of high net worth clients at Starhill Gallery, especially by offering exclusive banking services from 11am to 9pm daily at the branch.