During the recent Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards 2021, Baiduri Bank was named the Domestic Retail Bank of the Year for Brunei for the ninth consecutive year, while its brand refresh campaign was awarded the Marketing & Brand Initiative of the Year for Brunei. In light of the pandemic, no physical awards presentation was held.

In a press release issued by Asian Banking & Finance, Tim Charlton, Publisher of Asian Banking & Finance magazine said, “Financial institutions that didn’t back down from the challenge and have adapted amidst the crisis have proved to be on the top of the industry. Asian Banking & Finance awards aim to recognise these exceptional firms and challenge them to provide top-tier products and services to their clients as we continue to move forward into the new normal.”

Speaking on this achievement, Ti Eng Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Baiduri Bank said, “We are humbled by the recognition of our efforts, particularly how our investments in technology, infrastructure, people and other strategic initiatives have enabled us to better serve our customers and the wider community, despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

During a video interview with Simon Hyett, Contributing Editor of Asian Banking & Finance magazine, Lim Kian Chiong, Head of Retail Banking, Baiduri Bank spoke on the Bank’s achievements over the last year. “Among the key highlights over the last 12 months, the biggest change the Bank went through was the relocation to a new headquarters which brought with it a larger and more conducive space for banking as well as much enhanced customer experience.” He elaborated that with the new headquarters came a slew of advancements such as a digital queuing system, a more spacious Baiduri Prestige Centre as well as a new café-banking experience with an onsite café (b.Cafe) where customers can relax whilst waiting to be served, or have a chat with their financial planner over coffee.”

When speaking on the Marketing & Brand Initiative of the Year award, Kian Chiong said, “Our refreshed brand campaign was launched in September 2020 after a year-long journey of planning, research and extensive assessment which introduced a new look, new colours and new set of core values. These values gave us a clear direction, a shared purpose and inspired us to deliver our promise to the customers.” These values underpin the Bank’s new Vision and Mission as it pledges to co-create a sustainable future for diverse segments of the society.

In ending the interview, he thanked the Bank’s customers, partners and stakeholders for their loyalty and support over the last year in the face of the pandemic. “It is because of their unwavering support that we have been able to achieve these accolades over the years.”

Since 2006, the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) magazine has been honouring and recognising the best of the best in the Banking and Finance industry in Asia.

The ABF Retail Banking Awards honours outstanding banks that have introduced groundbreaking retail banking products and services that proved to be industry game changers. This year’s nominations were judged by a panel consisting of prominent industry leaders from Ernst and Young, Deloitte, PwC and KPMG International.