Latest news with #JeffreyTeoh
The Star
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
OCBC Malaysia launches Serial Entrepreneur programme
From left: OCBC global commercial banking middle market and services head Anna Chang, OCBC AI-Amin Bank Bhd chief executive officer Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd chief executive officer Tan Chor Sen, OCBC global commercial banking head Linus Goh, wholesale banking head and managing director Jeffrey Teoh and emerging business head Chan Kok Leong at the launch of OCBC Malaysia's first-of-its-kind Serial Entrepreneur programme. KUALA LUMPUR: OCBC Malaysia has launched its first-of-its-kind Serial Entrepreneur programme, offering support for individuals running multiple businesses, following a year-long pilot phase. In a statement, OCBC Malaysia managing director and head of wholesale banking Jeffrey Teoh said the programme has immense potential, given the sizable base of serial entrepreneurs. Teoh said the bank's research revealed a gap in the market, where no Serial Entrepreneur programme combined with a structured engagement approach was available. He added that traditional banking models often treat each venture as a separate entity, leading to fragmented support and financial solutions that fail to consider the bigger picture. 'So, we decided to develop the Serial Entrepreneur programme to help entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of managing multiple businesses with ease, flexibility and speed.' 'About 1 in 3 entrepreneurs who were offered our principal loans during the pilot phase signed up for the programme. This involved about 300 companies taking up more than RM850mil worth of loans, which tells us that the market is certainly ready for what we are offering,' Teoh said. The OCBC Serial Entrepreneur programme builds on the success of a 2019 initiative by OCBC Group in Singapore and redefines how banks engage with business leaders. Leveraging data analytics and customer feedback, the bank gained key insights into the behaviour, funding needs, and growth paths of entrepreneurs managing multiple ventures. The bank supports serial entrepreneurs with dedicated group relationship managers who help plan their finances based on the full business portfolio, not just individual companies. This approach lets the bank see the entrepreneur's ventures as one strong unit and make better use of their existing business strengths. The programme is also centred on assisting the serial entrepreneur from the get-go, without imposing the usual condition for a new venture to operate for up to two years before being eligible for financing. Besides providing capital financing, the OCBC Serial Entrepreneur programme equips entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need for their next business venture and to help them grow confidently. OCBC Malaysia comprises OCBC Bank (M) Bhd and its Islamic banking subsidiary OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd. For more information on the OCBC Serial Entrepreneur programme, please visit
New Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
OCBC extends RM351mil financing for projects in Johor-Singapore SEZ
KUALA LUMPUR: OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd has approved RM351 million in financing for three major real estate developments within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The funding supports a joint venture between property developers See Hong Chen Group and EXSIM Group for the acquisition of freehold land in Johor Bahru. In a statement today, the bank said the mixed-use development has a projected gross development value of RM1.8 billion. OCBC is also financing See Hong Chen Group's purchase of additional freehold land parcels in Bandar Johor Bahru. "The JS-SEZ represents a significant opportunity for long-term economic growth," said OCBC managing director and wholesale banking head Jeffrey Teoh. "We're committed to going beyond traditional lending by delivering integrated financial solutions through our One Group capabilities," he added. The JS-SEZ, a flagship cross-border economic initiative, is expected to catalyse investment flows between Johor and Singapore, with connectivity boosted by the Rapid Transit System Link, which is slated for completion in 2026. See Hong Chen Group managing director See Cherng Jye said the developments aligned with the group's strategy to deliver impactful assets in growth zones. "This collaboration marks a significant milestone for us as we expand our footprint into Johor," said EXSIM managing director Lim Aik Hoe, adding that the projects are designed to meet evolving market and community needs. OCBC is the second-largest banking group by assets in Southeast Asia and is part of a wider financial ecosystem that includes Great Eastern, Bank of Singapore and asset manager Lion Global Investors.
