We offer our customers total and integrated financial solution packages, such as the convenience of auto insurance, road tax payment services and renewals, designed to meet the automobile customer’s needs.

In addition, we have been working closely and will continue to closely collaborate with major car manufacturers and franchise holders on joint promotional programmes designed to create excitement and movement in the automotive industry, among which are a zero interest campaign, step-up repayment scheme, bullet repayment scheme and free instalment scheme.

We have several exciting new campaigns in the pipeline, developed specifically to meet the needs of our different customer segments. These schemes will be unveiled progressively throughout the year.

One of these schemes will offer added protection to AmBank customers whereby the balance outstanding will be settled in full in the event of disability or the demise of the customer. This will offer greater security and peace of mind to customers and their families.

Also among the line-up of special campaigns and promotions are collaborative packages with our business partners, such as car manufacturers and distributors, offering several attractive financing schemes as well as easy car ownership financing packages with step-up repayment features tailor-made to suit the individual customer's repayment capacity.

3. What are your expectations from the 9MP, particularly for the banking sector and the economy?

The 9MP has set the necessary strategies, policies, programmes and projects to help accelerate the developments of the economy over the medium and long term. The private sector will continue to play the lead role in supporting economic growth, and its performance is expected to improve in tandem with the better domestic and external demand conditions expected.

In this regard, the banking sector is also expected to record a more favourable performance during the 9MP period with an enlarged role in the financing of the private sector and supporting overall economic activity. The activity of investment banking is also envisaged to accelerate in line with the more active development of the corporate sector and the overall domestic capital market.

We can also anticipate the resilience and competitiveness level of the banking sector to further strengthen during the 9MP as it undergoes further consolidation and restructuring while engaging in more human capital development and upgrading of technologies.

4. The banking sector plays an important role in fulfilling the social needs of Malaysians. What has AmBank Group done in thisarea and what is its future commitment to continue being a caring corporate citizen?

Throughout its history, AmBank Group has believed that above and beyond financial bottom lines and meeting shareholders' expectations, corporate social responsibility is an important part of its philosophy. This involves activities through which corporations give back to the larger society. It is the group's view that working towards the betterment and development of the people of Malaysia and even other nations is just as important as profit margins.

AmBank Group has been involved in donations, sponsorships and partnerships in public development programmes as well as programmes for the promotion of Malaysia as a centre of excellence – in sports and tourism, for example.

It was one of the first organisations to come to the aid of victims of the tsunami tragedy of December 2004 with a cash contribution of RM250,000 and RM330,000 worth blankets.

In 1994, AmBank Group contributed RM30.2mil towards an RM600mil Low-Cost Housing Fund for those earning less than RM500 a month in urban areas in the Klang Valley, Perak and Pulau Pinang.

The group also supports many programmes in health, education and sports – for instance, it made an RM500,000 donation to the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital in 1997, provided free copies of newspapers to schools last year and was the main sponsor of the AmBank Kuala Lumpur International Marathon and build-up activities at the beginning of March.

Support is also given to national interest events such as the recent sponsorship of the live concert viewed by approximately 100,000 at Dataran Merdeka at the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

Moreover, the needy, including underprivileged children, are also regular recipients of aid and visits that show that society still cares, with many donations to homes and the annual buka puasa sessions during the holy month of Ramadan.

AmBank Group is proud to give the banking sector a “caring face” by taking on the roles outlined above, and is sincerely committed to continuing its efforts in doing so.