Hong Leong Bank’s New Community Campaign Enables its Mastercard Holders Make a Difference to the Community

Phnom Penh, 30 July 2021 – In conjunction with the launch of its Debit Mastercard, Hong Leong Bank Cambodia (“HLB” or the “Bank”) initiated a meaningful community campaign called ‘Save and Spend to Donate’ for Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital. Under the campaign, 1% of the payment value all HLB Debit Mastercard transactions – digital and in-store payments – will be donated to the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital.

Healthcare requires considerable financial resources normally obtained from fundraising efforts to operate, employ adequate medical and nursing staff as well as purchase medical supplies to provide medical care for the community. However, the pandemic has negatively affected these fundraising efforts.

Terrence Teoh, Managing Director and CEO of HLB Cambodia shared that the Bank donated USD25,000 to Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital to kick off the ‘Save and Spend to Donate’ campaign.

“We pride ourselves as a Community Bank with the core value of being here for the long term. We understand we have an important role to invest in building a vibrant and robust ecosystem that is conducive for business, alongside supporting the communities around us.

“The ‘Save and Spend to Donate’ campaign not only allows the Bank to give back to society but also for our customers to make a difference to the community easily and effortlessly by just spending with their HLB Debit Mastercard. Every transaction counts and together, we can make a big impact and show compassion to the community we live in during these very challenging times.”

Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital currently provides free medical services and treatments to about 85% of the country’s children. All campaign proceeds will be used to help ensure families gain access to healthcare for their children via the free medical services the Hospital provides.

Dr. Denis Laurent, Director-General of Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital said, “Since last year, the pandemic has put the hospital in a very challenging situation. It has affected our fundraising efforts resulting in a decline in contributions. We are very grateful that HLB chose to partner us for their community campaign. It will help us continue delivering free and quality pediatric services and treatment, while ensuring the specific COVID-19 functions and protocols are in place in our hospitals for the safety of patients and their families.”

Mastercard Country Head for Cambodia, Mr. Tek Sophal expressed his delight for being associated with HLB’s meaningful campaign. “At Mastercard, we always strive to give back and empower the community through our products. We look forward to collaborate with Hong Leong Bank as a partner who shares the same values as us on more community initiatives that contribute to a sustainable future in everything we do, every day.”

6th Year Anniversary

On 31st August 2019, Hong Leong Bank’s Group Managing Director, CEO, senior management team and the bank staff celebrated their 6th year anniversary with the Kurata Unity Primary School in Nokor Thom Commune, Ach Chagn Village - one of the poorest areas in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province.

Mr. Joe Farrugia, CEO of Hong Leong Bank, supported the community by donating stationeries for the 211 students and teachers as well as planted 100 trees within the school grounds.

Upon our arrival, the senior children greeted us excitedly with loud cheers. We then went on a tour by the Head of School, which included a background history to the school. Later, the younger students joined and sang traditional Khmer songs for our enjoyment. This was followed by the planting of the trees with the school children.

Mr. Joe Farrugia mentioned “We hope what we achieve today at Kurata Unity Primary School will go a long way towards ensuring all the children become good students, smarter students and have a successful future at this school and beyond. Hong Leong Bank will aim to help the community in as many ways as we can as we move forward into the future. We want to give back to the people and this is just a small start for now”.

Apart from the two CSR activities, Hong Leong Bank gifted each local authority member a gift bag for gratitude as we were extremely happy they could join us on this memorable day.