Hong Leong Bank Annual Report

RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Integrated Risk Management (“IRM”)

Managing risks is an integral part of the Bank’s overall business strategy, as risks, if left unchecked against a backdrop of rapidly changing financial landscape and increased uncertainty, can translate into costs for the business. Recognising the need to be proactive in the management of risks, the Bank has implemented an Integrated Risk Management (“IRM”) framework.

At the apex of the IRM framework, the Board of Directors has the overall responsibility to ensure there is proper oversight of the management of risks in the Bank. The Board of Directors set the risk appetite and tolerance level that is consistent with the Bank’s overall business objectives and desired risk profile. A number of committees and dedicated risk management functions have been established to manage specific areas of risk and implement various risk management policies and procedures.

Giving due prominence to risk management, a Board Risk Management Committee (“BRMC”) comprising three members of Board of Directors (where a minimum of two members are the Independent/Non-executive Directors) has been set up to oversee and ensure that risk management at all levels is being managed effectively. They, in turn, report all the risk management activities to the Board of Directors. To assist the BRMC, the Integrated Risk Management and Compliance

Department (“IRMC Department”) has been established to provide independent oversight on the adequacy, effectiveness and integrity of risk management practices at all levels within the Bank. The IRMC Department has adopted a risk-based approach to consolidate principal risk areas across the Bank and provide a comprehensive profile of such risks so as to enable the Bank to minimise the risk through review and appropriate policies and control.

Credit Risk Management

Credit risk is risk of financial loss due to a borrower or counterparty being unable or unwilling to deliver on its payment obligations to the Bank, which leads to a loss of revenue and the principal sum. It arises principally from lending, trade finance and treasury activities. Credit risk management forms a key component of the Bank’s integrated risk management structure. The Bank’s integrated risk management structure is founded upon a credit risk framework that is compliant with BNM’s guidelines on ‘‘Best Practices for the Management of Credit Risk’’.

The Bank gives very strong priority to effective credit risk management. Credit evaluation is managed by experienced personnel, with high level review undertaken by the Management Credit Committee, under the supervision of the Board Credit Supervisory Committee. All significant credit policies are reviewed and approved by the BRMC.

The key to credit risk management is to