Bangkok Bank received a plaque of honor from Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressing appreciation of the Bank’s support with the Ministry’s Mor Prom Call Center which served as a channel for providing reliable information to the public during the crisis.

Bangkok Bank Director and Executive Vice President Mr. Thaweelap Rittapirom and Senior Vice President and manager of Phone Banking Center Nitaya Phithaksphongs represented Bangkok Bank to receive the plaque from Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The award marked Bangkok Bank’s support of the Public Health Ministry’s Mor Prom Call Center, which served as a channel for reliable advice and information about keeping safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as information about vaccination, a topic of significant public interest.

The Ministry of Public Health and the Thai Bankers’ Association organized the Mor Prom Call Center to provide the public with access to reliable information and advice on Covid-19 and vaccinations, which were filtered by the Ministry for accuracy. Using the skills and expertise gained from providing customer service through a banking call center, the Mor Prom Call Center was able to support the government in distributing Covid vaccines to a wider group of people.

Under this collaboration, Bangkok Bank assigned a team from the Bank’s call center to participate in taking calls and provide information and advice on the Mor Prom Call Center at 0 279 2233. Bangkok Bank was one of six banks who are members of the Thai Bankers’ Association to participate in the project, which began on May 19, 2021. The Bank has extended its participation until October 31, 2021.

“Supporting the Mor Prom Call Center is another important mission that will help people. Bangkok Bank is proud to be a part of this mission, especially in a critical situation like this where there is a lot of fake or distorted news. This may lead to confusion, affecting the life and health of people, making the situation even worse. During this project, we were proud to help many people who were suffering get through the crisis and to gain access to appropriate care from relevant agencies. This reflects the Bank’s commitment to be a “trusted partner and reliable close friend” who is ready to sand by Thai society under every circumstance,” said Mr. Thaweelap.

 

Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich donated Antigen Test Kits, together with medical supplies and necessities, in Bualuang Care boxes for Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms who are in the home / community isolation program or at high risk of infection. Altogether 6000 sets are being given out which will be distributed in maximum and strict control zones. This emphasizes the Bank’s status as a “trusted partner” standing alongside the Thai people during times of crisis.

In the Bualuang Care box there are two ATK test kits and medical supplies including two bottles of Andrographis paniculate capsules, five packets of paracetamol, 14 packets of anti-congestion tablets, one oximeter with batteries, one thermometer, one box of facial masks (50 pieces) and one bottle of alcohol spray (100 ml). The Bank has coordinated with hospitals in each area to deliver the Bualuang Care boxes to people in maximum and strict control zones.

 

Bangkok Bank Director and Executive Vice President Dr. Thaweelap Rittapirom received the “Most Trusted Bank” award from Thailand’s Most Admired Brand 2021, a survey conducted by BrandAge magazine. It is the 21st year the award has been organized. The award evaluates the credibility of brands and consumers’ deciding factors in purchasing or using services across the country, including ratings from marketers who have knowledge of the brand of each organization. The winners were selected through an intensive screening process according to academic principles at every step. The award is an index that helps measure the perception and popularity of brands in the eyes of consumers.

Bangkok Bank expands its presence in the Transaction Banking market by increasing the efficiency of financial transactions during the crisis while responding to needs of all business customers. The Bank has focused on four elements that have helped to gain market share: being customer centric, expertise and knowledge, innovative technology and a comprehensive network. In addition, the Bank has won 17 awards from world-class financial magazines in 2020, reflecting the Bank’s outstanding vision and efficiency.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Pipat Assamongkol revealed that the Bank set a target of providing Transaction Banking services to business customers this year to cover all segments, leveraging cutting-edge technology to develop products or solutions in line with today's competition and increasingly digital consumer behavior. These services include a Blockchain Solution that has revolutionized Letter of Credit (L/C) and Letter of Guarantee (L/G) transactions with greater speed, efficiency, security and verifiability, a Digital Payment Solution that applies QR technology to facilitate and increase the efficiency of receiving and paying funds with all types of business partners, and API Payment that makes payments faster and increases efficiency of liquidity management for businesses. Today, more than 150,000 leading business customers both in Thailand and overseas have trusted the Bank's Transaction Banking services.

Transaction Banking offered by the Bank comprises various services that will increase the efficiency of financial management such as Cash Management, Trade Finance, Supply Chain Finance and Securities Services. These enable the Bank to offer total solutions that fully meet the needs of business customers. At the same time, it is in line with the Bank’s commitment to be a “trusted partner” who is ready to stay by your side and support business customers with four areas as follows:

1. Being customer centric to understand customer needs and develop services or solutions that help solve the pain points of customers' businesses, such as offering All-in-One packages to SME customers doing business domestically and importers or exporters by supporting a full range of online and offline transactions.
2. Having experienced personnel with expertise and knowledge in the services who are ready to offer proper advice in a timely manner.
3. Selection of cutting edge and appropriate technology and innovation which are secure and reliable to continuously develop services.
4. Having a branch network in Thailand and major economies of the world particularly in Asia, in line with the vision to be a regional bank, which has enabled the Bank to expand transaction banking capabilities to our overseas branches to facilitate businesses and increase the efficiency of financial management.

“Entrepreneurs have faced significant challenges due to the Covid-19 outbreak during the past 1-2 years and the situation is likely to persist throughout the year as the economy still has not fully recovered. To survive, businesses must adapt, especially in terms of financial management to be as efficient as possible. For example, businesses can benefit from quicker financial transactions with less need for process and greater liquidity to cope with any emergency. At the same time, businesses have to manage relationships with partners and customers and explore new markets. All of these aspects can be managed by Bangkok Bank’s Transaction Banking services.”

Mr. Pipat added that the Transaction Banking services are well received by the Bank’s customers and its quality of services has been reaffirmed by the Bank winning 17 awards from world-class financial magazines in 2020, such as “Best Cash Management Solution in Thailand 2020” and “Best Trade Finance Solution in Thailand in 2020” from Alpha Southeast Asia, an Asian leading investment magazine as well as “#1 Market Leader Ranking in Thailand 2020”; as well as “#1 Global Market Leader for Thai Baht Currency Transactions” and “#1 Market Leader in Asia Pacific” from Euromoney, a leading UK financial magazine, among others. These awards reflect the outstanding capability of the Bank’s Transaction Banking services, the use of modern technology, skilled personnel to advise and support business operations of customers quickly and comprehensively, and the Bank’s ability to forecast and evaluate the development direction of services or solutions to meet the needs of businesses.

“The Bank places great emphasis on upgrading its business ecosystem in line with current business practices, such as joining government agencies in the “BOT Smart Financial Infrastructure” development project. This will help transform the end-to-end domestic trading process and simplify the manual workflow, improving work efficiency and increasing opportunities for entrepreneurs to access funding conveniently and quickly. We are involved in building a strong and comprehensive network platform in the trade finance business group using Blockchain technology to develop a platform to connect customers, their partners in Bangkok Bank and partner banks’ networks to provide loans. The Bank is also accelerating the cooperation with other partners, for both public and private sectors, that play an important role in the trade finance business to provide a seamless experience in doing business, manage capital and provide One Stop Service for payment,” Mr. Pipat concluded.

 

Bangkok Bank Director and Executive Vice President Mr. Thaweelap Rittapirom (2nd from right), presented a 1,000,000 baht (one million baht) donation from Bangkok Bank, as “a trusted partner and reliable close friend”, to support the National Institute for Emergency Medicine in purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Special Covid-19 Operation Team (SCOT) who have transported emergency Covid-19 patients, or those with a high risk of infection, to hospital. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul (2nd from left), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, and Flt. Lt. Dr. Atchariya Pangma (far left), Secretary-General National Institute for Emergency Medicine, received the donation at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health.

Bangkok Bank has continuously delivered assistance to customers and the public at large to fight against Covid-19 through various channels in both the public and private sectors, such as donating money to four hospitals, supporting a Covid budget for the private sector and launching measures to help corporate, SME and retail customers who have been affected by Covid-19 so that we can all get through this crisis together.

 

Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich signed a Statement of Commitment for “Sustainable Thailand”. The Sustainable Thailand 2021 event was held by the Government Pension Fund, the Ministry of Finance and the United Nations to promote sustainable and responsible business conduct which leads to a strong and stable Thai economy while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, both of which are used as a framework by the global community to develop a sustainable society, economy and environment. This is in line with the Bank’s commitment to be “a trusted partner and reliable close friend” who strives to be a part of sustainable development. The Bank aims to integrate sustainable concepts and businesses conduct with concerns of environment, society and good governance into its business strategy.

 

Bangkok Bank is accelerating its Digital Banking strategy with the continuous expansion of services to support digital lifestyles. Recently, the Bank joined Counter Service Co., Ltd. to add channels for identity verification to open savings accounts via the Be My ID service at more than 13,000 7-Eleven stores nationwide to support the growing demand for transactions via digital channels while increasing access to government relief measures and supporting Covid-19 control measures.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Prassanee Ouiyamaphan said to achieve the goal of becoming a digital-first bank, Bangkok Bank places great emphasis on accelerating its digital transformation. The strategy focuses on innovation and technology development to create a digital platform to offer products and services that meet the needs of and are in line with customers’ current lifestyles. The Bank has continuously improved its digital banking services, especially the upgrade of Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking to meet the needs of customers in transactions, investments, and functions for digital lifestyles such as cardless withdrawal, overseas funds transfer as well as online account opening for e-Savings and funds.

The Bank’s objective is to enhance the digital experience for customers and enable seamless and convenient transactions. Therefore, the Bank has increased options and expanded the service points for identity verification using Citizen ID or Be My ID via counter service in 7-Eleven stores with more than 13,000 locations across the country that can support transactions 24 hours a day (service hours of the specific store may change depending on the area where official measures have been announced). This service, which will provide greater convenience to customers, will start from September 15, 2021 onwards.

Mrs. Prasanee added that the service will be of great benefit and convenience to customers in the current situation where many areas are under Covid-19 control measures. Bank branches that are still open must comply with control measures by limiting the number of people and adjusting service hours which may affect customer service. Therefore, the Bank has tried to encourage customers to make transactions via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking for their safety, particularly to open e-Savings accounts which can lead to other transactions such as savings, funds transfers, top-ups, payments for products and services as well as investments with greater convenience as customers do not have to visit a branch.

The Bank expects higher demand from customers to open a savings account to receive financial aid and other relief measures from the government which will be paid to an account linked to PromptPay. Customers opening a savings account with Bangkok Bank for the first time will need to verify their identity. These customers can use the Be My ID service to verify their identity at 7-Eleven which has a great number of easy-to-access branches and provide fast and convenient services. Current Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking customers can open an e-Savings account immediately.

“Be My ID is like a door to link and facilitate customers to make transactions by themselves conveniently and reduce limits on the Bank’s service and working hours. Recently, 13,000 service points in 7-Eleven by Counter Service have facilitated customers to make various transactions including deposit and withdrawal more conveniently. The Bank believes this service will be well received by customers,” said Mrs. Prasanee.

Counter Service Company Limited Senior Vice President Mr. Weeradej Ackapolpanich said the collaboration between these two companies have promoted digital transactions as an alternative channel for Bangkok Bank customers. Counter Service’s service points are available nationwide in 7-Eleven outlets and can reach customers and communities in many areas to provide convenient and fast services. This has also supported the government’s social distancing measures during Covid-19.

Customers who want to open an e-Savings account can download the Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking app to open an account online and verify their identity via By My ID. Customers can bring the 7-digit code received from Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking together with their ID card (smart card) to any 7-Eleven store to perform the authentication to open an account, available 24 hours a day (service hours may change depending on the area where government measures have been announced). The process at the store will consist of entering the 7-digit code, inserting your ID card into the electronic data capture machine (EDC), taking a photo and receiving a statement indicating successful authentication. Customers can now use the Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking app to open an account and start using their e-Savings account immediately.

Get a free Shopee discount code or Starbucks e-Coupon worth 200 baht when applying for the Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking app, opening an e-Savings account, and completing two transactions within seven days after successfully opening an e-Savings account from September 1 to November 30, 2021. In addition, customers can apply for the PromptPay service by themselves via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking.

For more information about e-Savings account opening, the authentication process including Be My ID service points and other bank information, please visit Bangkok Bank website, Bangkok Bank LINE Official or call 1333 or 0 2645 5555.

 

Bangkok Bank would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused by its temporary closure of services for system maintenance to enhance service efficiency from Friday, September 24, 2021 at 10:30 p.m. to Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Bangkok Bank customers will not be able to access any Bangkok Bank services during that time.

All Bank services will resume as normal on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused and recommend that you plan necessary transactions in advance. For more information, please call Bualuang Phone 1333 or 0 2645 5555.

Bangkok Bank further develops its BeWallet application to meet the needs of Thai people travelling abroad. The upgraded BeWallet app allows customers to link their deposit account, debit card or credit card to scan Quick Response (QR) Code to pay for goods and services while abroad. The Bank joined UnionPay International (UPI) and Thai Payment Network (TPN) to launch the UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank, a QR Code cross border payment service via mobile phone, which offers convenience and safety without customers having to worry about exchange fees. The service will be available today (September 7, 2021) onwards. The Bank is confident that the service will meet the needs of travelers when countries are open for tourism again.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President, Manager Credit Card Division, Shoke Na Ranong said that Bangkok Bank has continuously developed a wide range of solutions to reduce restrictions on the payment of goods and services while supporting the market and serving the lifestyles of today's customers which are constantly changing. This is to reinforce the Bank’s status as the “first mover” and a leading provider of “digital payment total solutions”. Recently, the Bank has further developed the BeWallet app to make it easy to make payments abroad by linking the app to a Bangkok Bank deposit account, debit card or credit card. Customers can simply open the app and scan the QR Code at stores to pay for goods conveniently and safely without having to carry cash or credit card.

The Bank is collaborating with UPI and TPN to introduce a form of payment for goods and services via the UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank by using the BeWallet app linked to a deposit account to scan QR code to pay for goods and services at more than 30 million stores within the UnionPay QR Code network in 45 countries and regions including popular destinations such as Australia, China, Hong Kong/Macau, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

Mr. Shoke said “The UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank is developed using cross border mobile payment technology. Once a bank account is linked with the BeWallet app, customers can make payments with a UnionPay QR Code. This offers customers an alternative for convenient spending and secure payment. Customers can pay for goods and services globally even without credit cards. Especially when people travel overseas, this innovation can ease their worries about having to exchange money or carrying a lot of cash. With this service, customers can scan and make payments in a local currency at the Currency Real Time rate which means the payment amount deducted from the account uses the exchange rate at transaction time. So, customers don’t have to worry about currency fluctuation and can enjoy a lower exchange rate than when using a credit card.”

UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank will be available today (September 7, 2021) onwards. Customers can use the service via the BeWallet app. To make it more convenient, customers will be able to use the service via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking soon.

This service does not only serve the needs of people traveling overseas. Customers who enjoy making online purchases via e-commerce from overseas merchants also can use the BeWallet app and the UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank to make payments. This is an important opportunity for the Bank to access this group of customers who are familiar with digital payment channels. Information from the Bank of Thailand shows overseas online transactions made by debit cards in 2020 amounted to 30 million transactions, a 25% increase, totaling 17 billion baht.

“The Bank is confident that the BeWallet app together with the UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank will benefit both customers making online purchases from overseas merchants and those traveling overseas where they can now make payments conveniently and securely. This is in line with customer behavior in the New Normal era as they are cautious about physical contact including with cash or cards. So, payments made with digital systems and QR Code scanning using a mobile phone fit well within this behavior. Once the Covid-19 situation improves, and many countries including Thailand reopen for domestic and international travel, the BeWallet app and the UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank will be one of the payment services from Bangkok Bank ready to support customers to live their normal lives,” said Mr. Shoke.

Mr. Huiming Cai, General Manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia said “UnionPay International is delighted that users of BeWallet will soon be able to make UnionPay QR Code payment around the world when travel reopens. As a leader in enabling QR Code for payment globally, UnionPay International works closely with Bangkok Bank and TPN to ensure that Thai customers can make UnionPay QR Code payment in a quick, safe and easy manner anywhere they travel to. In addition, UnionPay QR Code uses the EMV specification which is in line with global payment security standards. Our continuous push to encourage usage of QR Code payment will play an important role in promoting a more hygienic and inclusive cashless environment.”

Ms. Vipawan Yongvikul, General Manager, Thai Payment Network Company Limited (TPN) said, “As Thailand’s first electronic payments network for local debit cards (Local Card Scheme), TPN is very pleased to join Bangkok Bank and UnionPay International in supporting this service. It’s the first time in Thailand that customers can directly link Bangkok Bank savings accounts with the mobile app BeWallet and use it to make international payments using QR Code across over 30 million UnionPay’s merchant network globally, adding more payment options on top of debit and credit cards. This is a financial innovation that meet customers’ needs as it’s convenient, fast, secure and cost-effective. The company is confident that this service will be well-received by customers wanting to travel overseas.”

Interested customers can download the BeWallet app, available in both Android and iOS, and find more information about UnionPay QR Code By Bangkok Bank or the Bank at Bangkok Bank channels or call Bualuang Phone 1333 or 0 2645 5555.

 

Bangkok Bank wishes to apologize for any inconvenience caused by its planned temporary closure of services for system maintenance to enhance service efficiency. This will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 02:30 a.m. to 07:00 a.m. Bangkok Bank customers will be unable to access Bangkok Bank services during the times indicated below:

02:30 a.m. - 07:00 a.m.

• Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking

02:30 a.m. - 03:45 a.m.

• Bualuang iBanking
• BIZ iBanking
• Banking Agent
• Bualuang ATMs, CDMs and CDM/ATMs
• All types of Bangkok Bank Debit Cards (cannot be used for financial services)
• All types of Bangkok Bank Credit Cards (cannot be used for cash advances)
• Bangkok Bank Prepaid ATM Card (cannot be used for financial services)
• Bualuang Phone (cannot check account balances and make financial transactions via the Contact Center)
• Funds Transfer, Deposits and Bill Payments from other banks to Bangkok Bank accounts
• e-Wallet and QR Payment services

We apologize for any inconvenience caused. For more information, please visit Bangkok Bank website, Bangkok Bank LINE Official or call Bualuang Phone 1333 or 0 2645 5555.

 

Bangkok Bank joins RoV (Arena of Valor) to support RoV Pro League 2021 Winter, a major event for gamers. The Bank has launched a special promotion for those who apply for Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking in which they will receive an RoV Limited Edition blanket, with the aim of gaining a foothold in the gaming and e-sports market in order to expand its new generation and “First Jobber” customer segments by 40%.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Prassanee Ouiyamaphan said that the Bank has joined RoV (Arena of Valor), a popular online game worldwide including in Thailand, to co-sponsor the RoV Pro League 2021 Winter, the professional league competition for gamers with total prizes worth more than 10 million baht. This will be another channel to reach out to a new generation of customers, especially RoV fans. In addition, the Bank has launched a special promotion to offer an RoV Limited Edition blanket (2,000 privileges only) to new customers who apply for Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking between September 6 to November 7, 2021.

Sponsoring this activity will enable the Bank to reach out to a new generation of customers by using mobile banking and digital services, something that these customers are familiar with and are ready to learn about by themselves. Meanwhile, the Bank has developed additional functions under the concept of "changed, not the same" to enhance customer satisfaction and provide a better user experience while responding to the needs of new target groups, especially new generations and “first jobbers”, with an aim to increase the market base of this group by 40% and expand the total number of customers to 13 million by the end of this year.

“People interested in online games are not just young kids. Online games and e-sports have expanded to players ranging from 15-35 years old. The Garena RoV Thailand Facebook page has more than 4 million followers. It is a high-growth industry that the Newzoo Global Games Market Report 2021 estimated will grow to more than 1 billion US dollars, up 14.5% from the previous year, with further growth forthcoming. The Bank believes that the sponsorship of RoV Pro League 2021 Winter and the accompanying promotion will give it further access to the younger generation and first jobber customer segments. The Bank is placing great emphasis on these groups and is ready to be their trusted partner by providing new financial solutions that resonate well with their lifestyles and create financial growth in line with the financial stages of their lives,” Ms. Prasanee added

Senior Director, Head of Garena (Thailand) Krit Pattanateacha said “Games and e-sports communities are diverse, with Newzoo projecting that the Southeast Asian market will grow to 42.5 million e-sports viewers by the end of 2021. The growing market has prompted more businesses to engage by sponsoring e-sports leagues and tournaments. Bangkok Bank is one of the partners of the ongoing RoV Pro League 2021 Winter which is a major tournament. Under the collaboration, we hope that RoV players who make payments using Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking will have an enhanced experience and hope that all RoV enthusiasts will fully enjoy the final tournament of the year”.

RoV fans who collect limited items can find out more about the application for Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking or the RoV Limited Edition blanket promotion from all Bangkok Bank channels including Bangkok Bank website, Bangkokg Bank LINE Official, Bualuang Phone 1333 or 0 2645 555 or contact Garena Customer Service

Bangkok Bank approved that an interim dividend from the profit of the operations for the first half of the year 2021 be paid on September 23, 2021 at the rate of 1.00 baht per ordinary share.

The meeting of the Board of Directors of Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited No.8/2021 held on August 26, 2021, at which the Board had adopted the following resolutions. Approved that an interim dividend for the operations for the first half of the year 2021 be paid on September 23, 2021 at the rate of 1.00 baht per ordinary share. The record date for determining shareholders’ right to receive the dividend shall be September 9, 2021.

Bangkok Bank has successfully provided cross-border QR payments between Thailand and Indonesia emphasizing its status as a trusted regional provider of cross-border payments. Prior to this, the Bank was the first bank to provide cross-border QR payments between Thailand and Vietnam in the first quarter of this year. The strength of the service lies in its safe and convenient transactions as well as its lower exchange rate fees. In addition, QR payments support a large number of retailers and has high customer awareness. This service also reflects the reality of the New Normal era. The Bank is confident that this service will support long-term tourism recovery as the Covid-19 situation unfolds.

In March 2021, Bangkok Bank was the first bank and the settlement bank to provide a cross-border QR payment service between Thailand and Vietnam.

Now, Executive Vice President Pornnit Dunnvatanachit revealed that Bangkok Bank is the first bank and the settlement bank to provide a cross-border QR payment service between Thailand and Indonesia. Under the cooperation between the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and Bank Indonesia (BI), the service provides cross-border QR payments between these two countries which will increase efficiency and support the standardization of the financial infrastructure ecosystem across the region. Meanwhile, this service provides great convenience while creating a positive experience and helps reduce international financial costs.

With this cross-border QR payment service, customers can use the Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking application to scan and pay for goods in Indonesia, while customers of Indonesian banks that participate in the service, such as Permata Bank, can pay for products and services in Thailand with their respective bank apps. This service is safe and convenient, allowing customers to pay for goods and merchants to accept payments in their home currency with lower exchange rate fees than they would get by paying by credit or debit card.

QR payments are widely used and are an important tool in receiving payments for merchants both in Thailand and Indonesia as they can significantly help increase sales for the store. For example, merchants will not miss out on sales opportunities if customers do not carry enough cash to make purchases. Customers or consumers have also become highly familiar with the process and prefer to pay using a QR code. Therefore, many stores support this type of payment. In addition, the service also reduces the use of cash to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In Thailand, the number of e-payment transactions in 2020, including QR code payments, reached 13.39 million, up by 49.14% from the previous year.

Ms. Pornnit added that the Covid-19 situation may still require restrictions on domestic and international travel or business dealings, which limits the use of cross-border QR payment services to certain groups of customers such as Indonesians working in Thailand or Thais working in Indonesia, as well as those making online cross-border purchases. However, when the situation improves and regional travel opens up, particularly in major cities and economies, cross-border QR payments will play an important role in supporting the recovery, as it reflects the reality of the New Normal era in which there is less physical contact and more digital transactions.

“The cross-border QR payment service between Thailand and Indonesia marks another successful development of cross-border QR payments via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking after making the service available between Thailand and Vietnam in March. This reflects Bangkok Bank’s commitment as a trusted partner who is ready to be a regional provider of cross-border payments to help customers make financial transactions with convenience. This is also in line with the Bank’s vision of being a regional bank,” said Ms. Pornnit.

Bangkok Bank would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused by its temporary maintenance of Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking on Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 02:30 a.m. - 07:00 a.m. to enhance service efficiency and better serve customers. Bangkok Bank customers will not be able to use Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking during that time. Other services are available as per usual.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused. For more information, please visit the Bangkok Bank website, Bangkok Bank LINE Official or call 1333 or 0 2645 5555.

 

Reference is made to Bangkok Bank’s announcement of temporary closure of services for system maintenance to enhance service efficiency from Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 10:30 p.m. to Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

The Bank would like to postpone the above system maintenance schedule to comply with the current situation and respond to measures and practices according to Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s guidelines for the control and prevention of Covid-19 until the situation is resolved. The Bank will advise the new schedule in the future.

Therefore, you will be able to use the Bank’s services as usual.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused. For more information, please call Bualuang Phone 1333 or 0 2645 5555.

The Thai economic recovery in the second quarter of 2021 was affected by the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic leading to a deterioration in various economic indicators, including consumer confidence, which fell to a 19-year low, impacting consumption and investment by the private sector. With international travel restrictions remaining in place, the tourism sector has been unable to recover. However, Thailand’s exports grew strongly in line with a robust economic recovery in key trading partners and this has been a predominant supporting factor for the Thai economy, together with government spending. Thailand continues to face a high degree of uncertainty from the pandemic situation with thousands of new infections recorded on a daily basis. Given the prolonged outbreak, mutation of the virus, the fact that the proportion of vaccinated people is not yet high enough, and that the reopening of borders for tourism has just started, continual government measures are still needed to sustain the economic recovery and support affected business operators and retail debtors.

Bangkok Bank has continued to support government measures and accelerated its help to provide customers with appropriate assistance in line with their individual situations since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak. At the same time, the Bank has prioritized risk management, while maintaining its financial stability, liquidity levels and strong capital position.

Bangkok Bank and its subsidiaries reported net profit of Baht 13,280 million for the first half of 2021

The Bank and its subsidiaries reported net profit for the first half of 2021 amounting to Baht 13,280 million. The net interest income increased by 4.8 percent due mainly to the consolidation of Permata since May 2020, while the net interest margin stood at 2.12 percent, decreased from the same period of 2020 following multiple interest rate cut during the first half of last year. Net fees and service income rose by 18.8 percent, due to fee income from bancassurance and mutual funds services and fee from securities business, as well as the consolidation of Permata’s fee income. The cost to income ratio was 49.5 percent. Meanwhile, the Bank set aside expected credit losses under its prudent approach as the Bank continued to assess the potential impact from the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic on the Thai economy and to prepare for and accommodate uncertainty.

Bangkok Bank continues to maintain a healthy financial position, high liquidity and capital positions, under its prudent management approach, in response to a delay in the economic recovery and a continued increase in uncertainties

At the end of June 2021, the Bank’s total loans a mounted to Baht 2,420,305 million, an increase of 2.2 percent from the end of last year, owing to increases in loans to business customers and loans made through the international network. Nonetheless the non-performing loan ratio remained at 3.7 percent. The Bank continues to set aside expected credit losses in response to the potential impacts from a prolonged Covid-19 outbreak on the Thai economy, driven a ratio of loan loss reserves to non-performing loan remaining strong at 190.3 percent.

As of June 30, 2021, the Bank’s deposits amounted to Baht 3,046,985 million, an increase of 8.4 percent from the end of December 2020. The rise reflected customers’ desire to maintain their highly liquid assets during a time of uncertainty. Accordingly, the loan to deposit ratio stood at 79.4 percent. In terms of capital, the Bank’s total capital adequacy ratio, Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio, and Common Equity Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio of the Bank and its subsidiaries stood at 18.4 percent, 15.9 percent and 15.0 percent respectively, comfortably above the Bank of Thailand’s minimum capital requirements.

 

Registrations can be made online from July 19.

In response to BOT measures, Bangkok Bank has launched an urgent two-month loan payment holiday to help business operators and consumers affected by the government’s recent lockdown measures. Registrations can be made through several service channels including online at www.bangkokbank.com and via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking from July 19, 2021 to August 15, 2021. Previous relief measures offered by the Bank will remain in place until December 31, 2021. This highlights the Bank’s commitment as a trusted partner who is working to help customers through this difficult time.

Bangkok Bank Director and Senior Executive Vice President Suvarn Thansathit said Bangkok Bank is responding to the BOT’s guidelines on assisting its borrowers who have had to close their businesses to comply with the government’s recent lockdown measures. The Bank has launched an additional relief measure by offering a two-month loan payment holiday. Registrations can be made on several channels from July 19, 2021 to August 15, 2021.

“Eligible customers are those with SME loans and consumer loans who live in dark-red zone provinces and other affected areas who have had to close their businesses in line with elevated restrictions to control the spread of Covid-19. New restrictions have been imposed in 10 provinces: Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Yala, Samut Prakarn, Samut Sakhon and Songkhla. Customers can request assistance at Bangkok Bank business centers and branches nationwide, Bualuang Phone 1333 or 0 2645 5555, www.bangkokbank.com and via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking.

Customers whose businesses are able to stay open but have experienced reduced income due to the government’s measures to prevent further Covid-19 spread can contact the Bank for advice and support tailored to their unique situation.

Mr. Suvarn added that the Bank will extend its existing supportive measures to December 31, 2021 to support all groups of customers. The Bank is focused on providing support to all customer groups in a timely manner. When the government announces additional measures to prevent further Covid-19 spread, the Bank will study the impact on customers and prepare measures or policies to ensure comprehensive support. In the meantime, the Bank will continue its regular policy to support and help customers through any difficult situation. The Bank is a trusted partner who stays close to customers in all situations.

Customers whose businesses are affected by Covid-19 outbreak can check for more information about the supportive measures and request support from the Bank’s business centers at branches nationwide, by calling Bualuang Phone 1333 or 0 2645 5555, by registering online at https://www.bangkokbank.com/COVID19-Update, or via Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking. Customers who still have the ability to repay their debt can use regular services and make loan repayments as usual.

 

Bangkok Bank Vice President for Public Relations Suwit Indrachalerm (2nd from right), Metropolitan Consumer Banking’s Regional Manager 9 Sirikun Chaiyasing (right) and Assistant Branch Manager of Thammasat University Rangsit Campus Lalita Thongchang (left) presented a scholarship to Isaree Saweangsiriphon (2nd from left), a student in the Master of Arts in Business Economics (English Program), Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University. This is the 14th year Bangkok Bank has supported students in this program for the benefit of the university and the country in general. The scholarship presentation ceremony was held at room 403, 4th floor, Faculty of Economics building, Thammasat University (Tha Phra Chan Campus), and was joined by Assistant Professor Dr. Supachai Srisuchart, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University.

The graduate program was founded by Professor Dr. Puey Ungphakorn in 1969 to provide a high-quality, full-time program on par with international standards.

 

Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking is continuously adding new features to meet the needs of mobile investment and financial transactions while providing financial services anytime, anywhere to meet today’s digital lifestyle. Highlights include mutual funds account opening, international funds transfers, and transactions via Foreign Currency Deposit (FCD) account and account re-activation with an account number and facial authentication in line with the trends of mobile banking.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Prassanee Ouiyamaphan said that the Bank continues to develop its friendly and accessible platform for users in line with the “Same, same but different because we understand you better” concept.

Recently, Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking has updated its new features to enhance the experience and meet customer’s needs in various applications covering the following areas:

Enhance your investment experience: Invest more easily with mutual funds account opening for current users of Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking. This function enables quick mutual fund account opening for general funds and tax saving funds of BBL Asset Management and Bangkok Capital Asset Management. This function also allows customers to make a first-time buy order for a new fund or during an IPO period without visiting a branch.

For scripless bonds, not only can customers subscribe to the new bonds, but they can also display account details of government bonds, including bond details and subscription history, without having to update the bond passbook at a branch.

Enhance your international financial transaction experience: Make international funds transfers more easily via SWIFT in 17 currencies to 124 countries worldwide with a daily transfer limit up to 1.5 million baht with lower fees compared to making the transaction at a branch. Customers can make international funds transfers immediately without applying for the service or submitting any documents.

In addition, the FCD account has extended funds transfers to 14 currencies with a transfer limit of 3 million baht per transaction with no daily limit. This enables customers to better manage cash flow and foreign exchange risk.

Enhance Digital Experiences and Lifestyles: More convenience and a streamlined digital lifestyle experience. Safely reactivate the application on a new mobile phone without the need to visit branches or ATM by downloading the application, entering your account or debit card number, and verifying your identity with facial authentication using the application. New features have also been added to fit your preferences: Bill Alert – never miss any payments again; and Note – categorize your expenses and insert stickers, emoji and special characters. In line with the reopening of the country, the Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking app also allows customers to purchase travel insurance and receive their policy via email after a successful transaction.

Bangkok Bank also makes it possible for customers to make financial transactions without any restrictions on time and place as well as providing them with convenient and safe financial services. Customers can now open an e-Savings account anytime, anywhere. New customers who do not have a Bangkok Bank deposit account just need to download the Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking app, open an e-Savings account with no minimum deposit and apply for a Be1st Smart Debit Card with no charges on entry and first-year fees (From January 11 - December 31, 2021). For identification, customers need to bring along their Citizen ID card to the Be My ID service points at any Bangkok Bank branch or Kerry Express nationwide.

“We always value and listen to the voice of our customers in order to improve and deliver maximum satisfaction for users, which reflects our intention of being a "trusted partner" for customers at all times. We have never stopped developing products and services that reflect changing needs and behaviors and which use technology to reduce hassles and complexity to deliver a good experience for all groups of customers.”

Mrs. Prassanee added that current consumer behavior indicates that customers prefer to manage their transactions by themselves through smartphones, without going to a branch. According to the Bank of Thailand, in the first quarter of 2021, more than 3.2 billion transactions were made by Thais via mobile banking, up around 10 percent from the previous quarter, and 88 percent from the same period last year. The total transaction value was over 11 trillion baht, up around 10 percent from the previous quarter and 57 percent from the same period last year. In terms of the growth of Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking, the number of users at the end of 2020 increased by 17 percent from 2019, with growth of 60 percent on the number of transactions via a mobile banking platform. The Bank expects to see growth of about 30 percent in the number of users by the end of 2021, or a total of more than 13 million users, according to its target.

The Bangkok Bank Mobile Banking app is available for customers to update and use from today onwards. To follow up on the new features and other interesting information, please visit Bangkok Bank website, Bangkok Bank LINE Official or call 1333 or 0 2645 5555.