On Line Business Banking

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) expects its trade finance sector to contribute 20% to the group's revenue in financial year ending June 30, 2009 (FY09), following the introduction of its new online trade finance service.

The e-trade finance service, expected to be rolled out in April next year, is anticipated to contribute 20% to the group's revenue in its first year of implementation, and 25% for subsequent years, said senior executive vice-president, head of business banking Rozidin Masari after the signing ceremony for online trade finance services between Maybank and HCL (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd on Wednesday.

Rozidin said the trade finance sector contributed 16%-17% to the group's revenue for the last financial year.

At present, Maybank has more than 17,000 customers utilising its trade finance facilities, with about 3,000 business customers registered with Maybank2e.net, an integrated online enterprise cash management financial portal.

"We aim to convert 10% of our Maybank2e.net customers in the first year of rollout to use this service and to grow it by 30% each year," said Rozidin.

The online trade finance services via Maybank2e.net would "enable customers to utilise and monitor their trade financing activities and status online anywhere, anytime" said chief operating officer Datuk Johar Che Mat.

The new e-trade service, targeted at small-medium enterprises (SMEs) is expected to further enhance Maybank's present SME market, said Rozidin.

"We anticipate double-digit growth in SMEs and the commercial market for the financial year ending June 30, 2008 (FY08)," he added, in spite of only 1.1% growth in SME loans in its first quarter results ended Sept 30, 2007.

Maybank Eyes 30 Pct Trade Finance Market Share

KUALA LUMPUR, No v 21 (Bernama) -- Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) expects to grow its trade finance market share to 30 percent in the current financial year ending June 2008 with the launch of its online trade finance services, Maybank2e.net. "Currently, Maybank has about 28 percent of the overall trade finance market share," said its senior executive vice president/head of business banking, Rozidin Masari. Rozidin said this after signing an agreement with HCL (M) Sdn Bhd here Wednesday. HCL, as systems integrator, will implement the online front-end trade finance solution for Maybank. He said trade finance business contributed about 17 percent of Maybank's overall income in 2006 and was expected to grow to 20 percent in the first year of Maybank2e.net roll-out. "Maybank2e.net, which is scheduled to roll out in April 2008, also caters to both conventional and Islamic trade finance needs of its customers in Malaysia and internationally," he said.

AT&T, Wachovia launch mobile banking service

AT&T Inc. and Wachovia Corp. joined forces to launch an online banking system via cell phones that allows customers to view account balances, transfer funds and pay bills.

Mississippi-based BancorpSouth, which has a presence in the Birmingham market, also offers mobile banking through AT&T.

Bank of America Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Earnings Conference Call

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation today announced it will present fourth quarter and full-year 2007 financial results on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. EST. The presentation, live webcast and other earnings-related information will be available through the Bank of America Investor Relations Web site at http://investor.bankofamerica.com/ .

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 57 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 5,700 retail banking offices, more than 17,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with more than 23 million active users.

New York Bank Appeals to Customers' Artistic Sense

NEW YORK�Imagine going to the bank for routine transactions, and while waiting for your private banker or standing on line for the clerk, you lift your head and there it is�an art gallery. A museum-quality art gallery, built with the specification of a real museum, is situated inside your bank.

"The lights, the air, and the security are the most important for all museums to release their art and antiques to us for display," said Martin Mullin, curator and director of the Gallery at The Park Avenue Bank. The bank's "Meet the Museum" program hosts exhibitions from museums from around the world, and pieces rotate every 6�8 weeks.

The Park Avenue Bank is a New York-based community bank with four branches throughout the city. The bank provides full service traditional consumer banking, real estate and commercial lending to small and mid-size businesses and other private banking services.

Credit Agricole's Calyon streamlines structured credit arm; appoints new head

PARIS (Thomson Financial) - Credit Agricole's investment banking arm Calyon has appointed a new head of structured credit markets as part of its move to reorganise its structured credit business unit 'in line with the current market environment'.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.