Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich (center), Executive Vice President Sa-ard Theerarojanawong (1st from left) and Senior Vice President and General Manager Jakarta Branch Chalit Tayjasanant (2nd from left) together with Bangkok Bank Berhad Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ng Jui Meng (3rd from left) welcomed Bank of Thailand Governor Dr. Veerathai Santiprabhob (4th from left) to Bangkok Bank’s Jakarta Branch during his trip to join the ‘Launching of the Local Currency Settlement Framework between Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia’ event in Indonesia. During his visit to the branch he viewed operations and received a brief on Indonesia’s economy. Bangkok Bank’s Jakarta Branch has been open for 49 years (since 1968). Today, the bank has three branches in Indonesia: Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan. The operation in Indonesia is a part of Bangkok Bank’s strong international presence and network of 32 branches in 15 economies around the globe.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Kanoksak Mokkamakkul (center) together with executives, congratulated two of the bank’s SME customers for receiving SMEs Excellence Awards 2017 from the Thailand Management Association. Delmax Machinery Vice President Atichart Chariyakul (2nd from right) received the platinum award. Delmax Machinery is a leading provider of bottling systems and packaging solutions. Aqua Nishihara Managing Director Pawit Sudhawiyangkul (2nd from left) received the gold award. Aqua Nishihara is a designer of wastewater treatment systems for industries and homes using bio-technology that is environmentally-friendly. These two SME operators were selected by Bangkok Bank from its nationwide SME customer base for their excellent management systems. The awards reflect the bank’s commitment to provide services in line with the bank’s role as a trusted partner and reliable close friend, which leads to mutual success for the customers and the bank. The bank’s customers have received top awards every year.

Bangkok Bank will launch the third class of its ‘AEC Business Leader’ Program to prepare Thai entrepreneurs to enter the AEC market with deep knowledge, real experiences learnt from businesspeople, visits to AEC countries and business plan writing skills to help them to become ‘A real business leader in ASEAN’

Bangkok Bank Senior Executive Vice President Chaiyarit Anuchitworawong the program’s director said “Bangkok Bank plans to open the third class of its ‘AEC Business Leader’ Program from February to April 2018, under the concept ‘Go ASEAN Together’ to help Thai entrepreneurs to become successful business leaders in the region. The program will prepare them to cope with changes in business and investment, including the move to digital operations, as well as sharing real experiences from successful businesspeople in ASEAN markets.

Participants in the third class of the ‘AEC Business Leader’ Program will join a study trip to Vietnam and Myanmar where they will receive useful information from leading businesspeople in these two countries about penetrating ASEAN markets. After the study trip participants will create a business plan using knowledge from the course and study trip. A winning business plan will be selected by a panel of leading businesspeople from various fields.

Mr. Chaiyarit added that “We are building on the success of the two previous classes with our third class. Many Thai entrepreneurs and SMEs who want to expand their business into ASEAN countries still lack a deep understanding of ASEAN market need advice on this matter and Bangkok Bank is ready to deliver it with this class.”

“We found that businesses or products from those who participated in the second class of AEC Business Leader Program were of high quality and capable of competing in ASEAN markets however they lacked advice from mentors with experience in doing business in these countries. As such we have added this part to our third class in the AEC Business Leader Program to make it more complete. We will also assign participants to create a business plan so that they can gain more experience and become ‘A real business leader in ASEAN’ in line with the program’s objective,” added Mr. Chaiyarit.

AEC Business Leader is Bangkok Bank’s intensive program prepares Thai entrepreneurs to efficiently and sustainably do business in ASEAN markets through providing deep knowledge from Bangkok Bank and sharing real experiences from leading businesspeople.

Those interested in the third class of the ‘AEC Business Leader’ Program can apply from today to 20 December 2017. For more information, please visit Bangkok Bank’s website contact AEC Connect at 0-2230-2758 and 0-2230-1507 or email AECconnect@bbl.co.th

Bangkok Bank Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Piti Sithi-Amnuai Executive Chairman Deja Tulananda Executive Director Singh Tangtatswas Mr.Amorn Chandara-Somboon and Mr.Chokchai Niljianskul with staff made merit by giving offerings to 100 monks from five temples including Wat Yannawa Wat Pathumkhongkha Ratchaworawihan Wat Chakkrawat Rachawat Woramahawihan Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawihan and Wat Ratha Singkhon, on the occasion of the bank’s 73th anniversary on December 1, 2017. The event was held at the bank’s head office on Silom Road Bangkok.

Bangkok Bank Director Charn Sophonpanich, representing Chin Sophonpanich Foundation Directors and Treasurer, and Chin Sophonpanich Foundation Executive Director Khunying Chodchoi Sophonpanich, presented scholarships to the 2017 batch of students.  This marks the 39th year of granting the scholarships, with Baht 19,210 million worth of funding being given to 608 students. The scholarships went to 162 medical students, 191 nursing students, 47 for study at universities in Bangkok, 28 for study at provincial universities, 85 for study at Chinese elementary schools, 10 for study at the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage, 3 for study for a new medical degree program, 67 for students under Ton Kra Songklanakarin Project, and 10 for students under Ton Kra Songklanakarin sponsored by Ananda Krishnan. The Foundation recognizes the importance of building a strong academic platform for Thai youth across the country and it awards scholarships that do not have to be repaid, in the expectation that scholarship awardees will contribute to the prosperity of the nation and their local communities after graduation.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Prassanee Ouiyamaphan is pleased the bank has received approval from the Bank of Thailand to exit the regulatory sandbox and offer QR Code payments to the public, as the bank is ready to provide services in line with the BOT’s guidelines. Customers will be able to use the Bualuang mBanking application to scan a QR Code and make an instant payment at a merchant with no need to use cash. The Bank is expanding its QR Code payment services to all targeted merchants across the country, including general stores, stalls at fresh markets, transport partners, operators in direct sales, logistics operators, and merchants that are payroll customers. There are currently more than 17,000 shops nationwide that have registered with PromptPay and are receiving QR Code payments. PromptPay transactions are expected to grow by around 10-20 percent now that approval has been received.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice Chairman Deja Tulananda (3rd from left), Executive Vice President Dr. Thaweelap Rittapirom (2nd from left) and BBL Asset Management Chief Executive Officer Peerapong Jirasevijinda (left) welcomed Deputy Minister of Finance Wisudhi Srisuphan (3rd from right), Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry Somchai Sujjapongse (2nd from right), and Chairman of the Money Expo Organizing Committee Santi Wiriyarangsarit (right) to Bangkok Bank’s booth at the 12th Money Expo Chiangmai. The booth was organized under the theme ‘Bangkok Bank – Your Digital Life Partner’ which emphasizes the bank’s leadership in providing modern digital banking products and services to meet every lifestyle, with convenience, speed and safety, available anytime, anywhere in line with the future digital economy.

Bualuang Asset Management (BBLAM), in partnership with FundRadars, a Bangkok Bank InnoHub startup, has launched a new application, ‘BF Mobile Application,’ which will proudly take Bualuang Fund further into the digital era. Under the concept ‘See the World through Bualuang Fund’, ‘BF Mobile Application’ will enable investment unit holders to access information and make transactions. The partnership showcases the success of Thailand’s first global FinTech accelerator program, Bangkok Bank InnoHub, which helps FinTech startups develop financial products and services to fully and effectively respond to customers’ needs, and is a valuable contribution to the future of Thailand’s economy and financial sector.  

BBLAM Chief Executive Officer Peerapong Jirasevijinda said the partnership with FundRadars to develop BF Mobile Application is another tool to provide convenience to customers.

“Customers or investment unit holders can access investment information quickly and conveniently, anywhere, anytime. The achievement represents a significant milestone in BBLAM’s development of digital strategies.”   

BF Mobile Application enables investors to track market information and analysis every day. The content is selected, analyzed in-depth, and presented in an easy-to-understand way by a team of mutual fund managers and professional financial advisors, so that investors can access information to help them make appropriate decisions.

‘BF Mobile Application’ will be trialed through smart systems including ‘chatbot,’ which promptly answers customers’ questions, especially those about mutual fund investments, and ‘robo-advisor,’ a tool for planning investments and selecting appropriate mutual funds, as well as systems for making transactions via internet banking, mobile banking and B-Channel.

BF Mobile Application users can easily access comparative information on selected mutual funds and follow those they are interested in, as well as creating simulated investment portfolios using FundRadars’ data.

Mr. Peerapong said the easy-to-use BF Mobile Application provides investors with instant access to in-depth information and insights from investment experts that will enhance the investment decisions of both new and experienced investors.

“BF Mobile Application will improve Bualuang Fund customers’ access to the information they need to make appropriate investment decisions, supporting BBLAM’s goal of ensuring all Thai families enjoy financial security through sustainable investment.”

Bangkok Bank Vice President, Office of the President, Dr. Pao Sriprasertsuk said the partnership is a tangible achievement of the Bangkok Bank InnoHub project, initiated by Bangkok Bank early this year, which selected and incubated Thailand’s first intake of world-class FinTech start-ups. FundRadars was invited to work alongside the bank to create a new financial service that meets the needs of customers of both Bangkok Bank and its subsidiaries. The outstanding progress and success of the FundRadars team has enabled it to become the bank’s business partner.

“Bangkok Bank InnoHub has contributed to Bangkok Bank’s digital strategy and business plan and will help it meet the challenge of FinTech by introducing technologies that strengthen the bank’s position as a financial innovation leader.  InnoHub connects with the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy to enhance Thailand’s ecosystem as it supports FinTech start-ups in Thailand and around the globe.”

Mr. Teerachart Kortrakul, a member of the FundRadars team, said: “BF Mobile Application has been developed based on in-depth study and understanding of customers and each customer will be able to use the application in different ways to suit their needs. Given the differing levels of experience in using digital systems, this application has been designed to be as convenient as possible. It will provide access to data that will help customers’ decision-making, including the most recent news and articles that will give them better understanding of investment matters”.

“This collaboration builds on the Bangkok Bank InnoHub project, which provided a wonderful opportunity for FundRadars. Normally we work as a technology business provider, but this time we received in-depth knowledge from financial experts which enabled us to develop better products and services to meet the needs of the market,” Mr. Teerachart concluded.

CH. Karnchang successfully launched two lots of senior unsecured debentures worth Baht 2 billion to institutional and high-net-worth investors. The debentures were underwritten by Bangkok Bank and graded A- by TRIS Rating.

Bangkok Bank Senior Vice President Corporate Finance Department Prasert Deejongkit, on behalf of the joint underwriters for CH. Karnchang PCL unsecured debentures no. 2/2017, said Bangkok Bank PCL was highly successful in selling the two lots of debentures. The issue attracted strong interest from institutional and high-net-worth investors, with demand up to four times the total issuance of the initial issue size.

The two lots of debentures worth a total of Baht 2 billion comprise: three-year debentures at Baht 1.0 billion in issue size with a 2.24 percent interest rate, and eight-year debentures at Baht 1.0 billion in issue size with a 3.34 percent interest rate. The debentures were graded "A-" by TRIS Rating on 11 October 2017. Subscriptions opened on 1-2 November 2017 and the bank issued the debentures on 3 November 2017.

CH. Karnchang Executive Director Prasert Marittanaporn said the company would like to thank all institutional and high-net-worth investors for their interest in purchasing the company's bonds. This success reflects their confidence in the company and its strong performance. At the end of June 2017, the company’s projects were worth Baht 85.800 billion. In 2016 it reported revenue of Baht 47.019 billion, with net profit of Baht 2.042 billion. Assets amounted to Baht 94.928 billion and liabilities amounted to Baht 73.074 billion. This success also reflects the company's leadership in construction and infrastructure development in Thailand and its capacity to undertake large infrastructure construction and specialized projects. The company will use the funds from the issued bonds to repay its debts and as working capital.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Shoke Na Ranong (3rd from left) Vice President Credit Card Division Mayuree Tantibhana (left) and Assistant Vice President Region 3 Metropolitan Consumer Banking Khanarath Kittirojjanatham (2nd from left) donated Baht 37,731,898.56 million to Siriraj Hospital. The donation was given to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa (right), Director of Siriraj Hospital to support underprivileged patients. Under the Bangkok Bank campaign to make donations to Siriraj Hospital, cardholders of Be1st Smart Rabbit Siriraj – ‘a card for kind people’ and Visa Platinum Rabbit Siriraj credit card – ‘Be happy every time you use the card as every time you spend you make merit’ are invited to make donations to Siriraj Hospital. The bank donates 0.2% of the value of purchases made using the card in each billing cycle. Visa Platinum Rabbit Siriraj credit cardholders can also redeem 1,000 points for a donation of Baht 100 to Siriraj Hospital, and the bank makes additional donations to match those of cardholders. This is the bank’s third donation to the hospital with Baht 87,550,445.86 donated in total.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Thantika Bodhisompon said Bangkok Bank held a ceremony to pay homage to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and commemorate the endless benevolence of His Reign. The ceremony led by Chairman of board of executive directors Deja Tulananda of companies in the Bangkok bank group, and executives and staff expressed loyalty, gratitude for the benevolence of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and sorrow ahead of the Royal Cremation Ceremony.  

The ceremony included reading of a poem composed by Naowarat Pongpaiboon, National Artist and advisor for Bangkok Bank’s Musical Art Center. Participants then paid their respects and laid sandalwood flowers made by executives, staff and volunteers before the portrait of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. All sandalwood flowers will be sent to Yannawa temple to burn in the ceremonial funeral pyre there at the same time as the royal cremation ceremony.

Bangkok Bank Head Office on Silom Road, Rama III office and branches nationwide held a synchronized ceremony on Tuesday 24 October 2017 with a total of 90,000 sandalwood flowers made by volunteers.

Bangkok Bank also published 200,000 memorial books of "I love the King...in eternal heart"; an 8.5x10 inch paperback which gathered memorable photos of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej from the time he was born, his talents, his duties and activities close to the heart of every citizen, as well as QR Codes to show VDO presentations in honor of the beloved King who will be in the hearts of the Thai people forever. The books will be given to customers and employees and distributed to school libraries throughout the country.

Bangkok Bank Vice President, Credit Card Division Mayuree Tantibhana accepted the award for ‘Best Loyalty and Rewards Program’ at the MasterCard Innovation Forum 2017 in Singapore for the Bangkok Bank AirAsia Platinum MasterCard Credit Card. The success of the co- branded Bangkok Bank AirAsia Platinum MasterCard Credit Card was achieved with great support and collaboration from partners including Thai AirAsia and Tune Money. The card has a big customer base, is widely used, and spending is continually rising as it offers outstanding benefits. These benefits include BIG Points which can be quickly redeemed for air tickets as well as the right to redeem a free ticket 24 hours earlier than others when there is a special promotion. The same card earned the Bank the award for ‘Best Co- branded Program’ at the MasterCard Innovation Forum 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Bangkok Bank obtained royal approval in the first year of the reign of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun to present the 2017 Royal Kathin to four royal Buddhist temples in the four southernmost provinces: Wat Chanathip Chalerm in Satun province, Wat Mujalinthawapee Wiharn in Pattani province, Wat Chonthara Singhe in Narathiwat Province, and Wat Puttha Phum in Yala Province.

The presentations of the Royal Kathin were led by Bangkok Bank Executive Chairman Deja Tulananda, Director Singh Tangtatswas, Senior Executive Vice President Suvarn Thansathit, and Director and Executive Vice President Thaweelap Rittapirom, respectively.

Bangkok Bank executives and staff were joined by the heads of government agencies in the four provinces – Deputy Governor of Satun province Mr.Soradech Suntarachun, Pattani Governor   Mr. Weeranan Pengchan, Deputy Governor of Pattani Province Mr. Pongthep Kaimook, Chairman of the Fisheries Association of Thailand Mr. Phubeth Chantanimi, Vice Governor of Satun Mr. Thammarong Kongwatmai, Deputy governor of Yala province Mr. Worachet Promopart -as well as government officials and local people at ceremonies that raised a total of Baht 20,506,333.98 for the 2017 Royal Kathin. 

Bangkok Bank was the first financial institution to support the royal grace of taking the Royal Kathin to temples under royal patronage in all regions in Thailand and in foreign countries. The Bank has done so for 51 consecutive years since 1967 to help maintain the Buddhist religion in Thailand, and in hope of lightening the King’s burden and preserving Buddhist traditions and culture to benefit novices and monks who will carry on the faith.

Best Bank for SMEs - Bangkok Bank (China)’s Beijing Branch Manager Mr.Shuming Yan (center) received the Best Bank for SMEs in Thailand 2017 award from The Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 2017. This award reflected Bangkok Bank’s excellence in providing financial support to SME customers that served every business need. Bangkok Bank continually developed financial products such as Bualuang Green Loan designed for projects aimed to be environmentally-friendly and save energy, franchise-related loans and services, the establishment of Bualuang Ventures which is Bangkok Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary to invest in high growth potential SMEs and startups and Bangkok Bank Innohub which is a program that selects and provides financial support to promising Fintech startups.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice Presidents Pochanee Kongkalai (2nd from left) Kelvin Foo (right) and Senior Vice President Consumer Banking Voraporn Vidhayasirinun (left) welcomed Chinapat Visuttipat (2nd from right) a legal advisor from Siam City Law Offices who was the guest speaker at a seminar for Bualuang Exclusive members on the topic: ‘Legal and tax considerations in asset management for family businesses’. The aim of the seminar was to help customers grow their current assets and safeguard their wealth for future generations. The advice related to asset management at the personal, family and business levels.

Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Apichart Ramyarupa (5th from left) and Vice President of Southern Region 1 Jinda Wongsuwanvaree (4th from left), together with branch managers in Southern Region 1 area presented 100 walkie talkies to the Commander of the 4th Army Area Lieutenant General Piyawat Nakwanit (5th from right) and Commander of the 5th Infantry Regiment and Commander of the Special Forces 5th Infantry Regiment Colonel Woradech Dechraksa (4th from right). The walkie talkies will be used as communication tools to strengthen the people’s network in major economic zones in the South. Bangkok Bank supports the Southern people’s network established by Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 as part of its surveillance network. Walkie talkies are the main communication tools for the people’s network to provide alerts when any suspicious incidents occur in the major economic zones in the Southern provinces.

The Bank of Thailand has announced new guidelines to identify and regulate ‘Domestic Systemically Important Banks’, or D-SIBs, and Bangkok Bank has been included in the Bank of Thailand’s list of systemically important Thai banks.

Bangkok Bank Senior Executive Vice President Chansak Fuangfu said Bangkok Bank maintains its prudent approach on financial management, maintaining liquidity and capital positions at levels sufficient to support future business expansion and cope with uncertainties that may arise, to ensure the Bank’s sustainable financial stability. As of June 30, 2017, the total capital adequacy ratio and the Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio of the Bank and its subsidiaries were 18.7 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively, sufficient to provide coverage against risks in various fields. The Bank is therefore in a strong position, with a higher total capital adequacy ratio and Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio than the minimum required under the Bank of Thailand's Basel III guidelines of 11% and 8.5%, respectively. This is sufficient to meet the requirements for additional capital under the D-SIBs guidelines.