Baiduri Bank received the Domestic Retail Bank of the Year for Brunei award for the 10th consecutive year, while the Finance Company of Year for Brunei was awarded to Baiduri Finance for the very first time during the Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards 2022.
Baiduri Bank was awarded for their use of digitisation to strengthen their bank servicing capabilities and commitment to enhancing the banking journeys of their customers, according to Asian Banking & Finance (ABF).
Meanwhile, Baiduri Finance was awarded for their resilience and their proactive approach to supporting affected companies and individuals through innovative solutions.
Baiduri Bank Chief Executive Officer Ti Eng Hui said, “Our customers, partners and employees are at the heart of everything we do, so they play the biggest part in our successes.
“As a truly local organisation, we are very happy to be recognised as the Domestic Retail Bank for the 10th year running and for Baiduri Finance to be recognised as the Finance Company of the Year.”
During a video interview with ABF magazine Contributing Editor Simon Hyett, Head of Retail Banking at Baiduri Bank Lim Kian Chiong touched on some factors that led to the award.
”Over the last 12 months, it has become even more important to manage uncertainties and expectations,” Lim Kian Chong said.
“Our primary approach towards this was to educate our consumers firstly by introducing and demonstrating the tools available to meet their financial needs. Secondly, by providing alternative and convenient methods of banking.”
He said that Baiduri b.Digital Personal is one such alternative.
“When the nation went into partial lockdown in August last year, we were ready to meet our customers’ financial needs remotely through Baiduri b.Digital Personal.
“Between September 2020 and September 2021, we saw a 53 per cent increase in average monthly transactions and a 52 per cent increase in our active user base.”
In a separate interview, Baiduri Finance Managing Director Haji Haliluddin bin Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib said the award is a great recognition of their market leadership and commitment towards continuous improvement.
On the last 12 months, he said, “As innovators and pioneers in adopting technology to deliver services, the pandemic served as an accelerator to expand our service delivery through technology in areas that were earmarked for the future.
“Our online services, HP Online and Baiduri Finance Mobile app, are successful examples of our digital offerings. We reduced our average loan processing turnaround time by almost 50 per cent through HP Online whilst HP e-payments via the Baiduri Finance Mobile app increased by over 60 per cent.
“We also introduced the Auto Direct Card which granted extra convenience to our customers as they are able to pay multiple HP accounts in one go.”
On the inaugural win for Baiduri Finance, he said, “This will serve as a reminder that for a truly local organisation, with the right drive, framework and tools, competing in the international arena and staying ahead is achievable.”
Since 2006, the ABF magazine has been honouring and recognising the best of the best in the Banking and Finance industry in Asia.
This year’s nominations were judged by a panel comprising prominent industry leaders from Ernst & Young, Deloitte, PwC and Bain & Company.
