HLB targets 50 pct of its retail customers to use mobile app in three years

Hong Leong Bank (HLB) targets 50 percent of its three million retail customer base to use its mobile application within three years under Connect digital banking platform.

Hong Leong Islamic Bank managing director/CEO, Raja Teh Maimunah said smart phone users made up about 63 percent of Malaysian market.

She said in less than a year, HLB has about 80,000 active users using its mobile apps banking system called PEx (Payment Express).

"Hong Leong Connect PEx allows users to send money to any recipient by using their mobile phone numbers regardless whether they have a HLB account.

"A non-HLB account holder could collect the money either through HLB automatic teller machine, or go to our website to pick it up to put into their selected account," she said at a media briefing to introduce PEx+ payment

service here today.

PEx+ is an extension of Connect Mobile application for retail payment service that enables HLB customers to pay for their purchase via smartphone technology.

Raja Teh said PEx+ functioned as e-wallet and facilitates cashless and cardless transactions and would reduce cost of doing business particularly for merchants.