^{Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak at the Flag-Off Ceremony of Launching of Agrobank ATM Mobile.}


KUCHING, SARAWAK, May 6 (Bernama) -- Agrobank today launches its first mobile Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and among the first in Malaysia to provide mobile ATM services to nine (9) districts of southern region in Sarawak to serve the local communities. The launching ceremony was officiated by Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak.
 
The launch of this Mobile ATM is part of Agrobank’s continuous commitments to support the unserved and underserved community towards achieving financial inclusion and to broaden access to financing whilst supporting the initiatives undertaken by the State Government of Sarawak and Bank Negara Malaysia of Sarawak.
 
According to Dato’ Mustapha Buang, Chairman of Agrobank, “Agrobank will continuously show strong commitment in supporting the State Government of Sarawak initiatives towards achieving full financial inclusion which would improve the rural communities and at the same time supporting the economic growth particularly in rural areas”.
 
“With the potential development of activities in Sarawak, Agrobank sees greater needs to help drive the economic activities.  We are pleased to introduce the mobile ATM banking services and we are proud to become among the first bank to provide mobile ATM to community in southern region of Sarawak namely; Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Sematan, Lingga, Pantu, Tebedu, Asajaya and Sebuyau,” said Mustapha.
 
Mustapha added, “More than 72% of Agrobank branches and kiosks are located in rural areas and we always believe that comprehensive financial services are powerful tools for a strong and inclusive economic growth as well as empowering individuals and community.  If we take a trip down memory lane, our efforts can be seen back in 1994 where Agrobank launched PATRIOT Rejang, the first banking service in Malaysia offered on a vessel plying the Rejang River to reach the local communities of the towns of Kapit, Sibu and Belaga.”
 
“Today, our efforts continue and with this mobile ATM, it is hope that it will create easy banking services for the rural communities in Sarawak. This is in line with the Bank’s objective which is to uplift the well-being of unserved and underserved community,” said Mustapha.
 
Agrobank strives to balance its developmental and commercial roles by providing full value chain financing for agriculture sector including upstream segment related to primary food and commodities-based agriculture activities to downstream activities such as processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products.
 
ABOUT AGROBANK

Agrobank is a leader in agriculture financing and values-based banking based (VBI)* in Malaysia. Established in 1969, Agrobank is actively involved in charting the growth and development of Malaysia’s agriculture industry by offering shariah compliant products and solutions across various customer segments including corporate, commercial, consumer, trade finance and micro financing customers. Agrobank is a full-fledged Islamic bank since 1st July 2015.
 
As a market driven, customer-centric DFI (Development Financial Institution) with a primary focus on strengthening the agriculture sector in Malaysia, Agrobank strikes an equal balance to its developmental and commercial roles to benefit the agriculture sector. Agrobank provides a comprehensive repertoire of financing solutions for the agriculture community; that includes upstream activities related to primary food and commodities-based agriculture activities to downstream activities such as processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products.
 
Agrobank also offers retail banking financing solutions to improve the well-being of the agriculture community. This is done through its network of 192 customer touch points including 138 branches, 1 agro banking, 1 virtual banking, 10 commercial financing centre, 34 kiosk, 8 agro corners & agro point.  
 
In 2019, Agrobank celebrates its golden jubilee Anniversary, as it marks 50 years of its proud establishment developing the agro industry.  
 
www.agrobank.com.my

* VBI or value-based intermediation is an initiative by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) which aims to improve the products and services offered by Islamic financial institutions towards a better facilitation of entrepreneurship, community well-being, sustainable environment and economic growth, without compromising on shareholders’ returns
  
Issued by Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank

SOURCE: Agrobank 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Shahreen Rahim
Section Head of Public Relations
Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank
Tel: 03-2731 1660 (ext 1660) / +6012-943 6217 
Email: shahreen.rahim@agrobank.com.my
 
Name: Syarifah Syameen
Senior Executive, Public Relations
Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank
Tel:  03-2731 1652 / +6012-310 1766
Email: syameen@agrobank.com.my
 
 -- BERNAMA