Kevin Lam has led Hong Leong Bank to deliver robust lending growth, stronger earnings quality and disciplined cost and asset quality management, creating sustained value for shareholders. He has driven transformation of the bank’s operating model and customer franchise, enhancing digital capabilities and artificial intelligence adoption to improve customer delivery and efficiency. He has reinforced a culture of accountability and performance alignment, strengthening institutional discipline and talent across the bank. Kuala Lumpur, 13 May 2026 – Kevin Lam, group managing director and chief executive officer of Hong Leong Bank, received the Best Bank CEO in Malaysia award from TAB Global, recognising his outstanding demonstration of leadership in building institutional strength, elevating execution excellence and positioning an enduring franchise for its next chapter of growth and relevance. Under his leadership, Hong Leong Bank is also recognised as the Best Managed Bank in Malaysia. Grounded in a Quantum Growth Mindset that prioritises customer-centricity and innovation across business lines, people, technology and governance, Lam has shaped a stronger, sharper and more purposeful institution with a clear ambition to build the best-run bank in Malaysia. Through sustained transformation anchored in strategic clarity and rigorous execution, he has strengthened Hong Leong Bank's financial outcomes, operational capabilities and franchise quality. Driving sustained financial momentum and balance sheet strength Lam has guided the bank to deliver consistent improvements across key financial metrics through disciplined execution. The bank has delivered strong growth across key lending segments while strengthening the quality of earnings, reinforcing funding resilience and preserving margin discipline. These outcomes were achieved alongside disciplined operational management, creating sustained value for shareholders and stakeholders alike. The bank maintained one of the lower cost-to-income ratios among domestic peers, while asset quality remained firmly controlled with gross impaired loans consistently below industry levels. Advancing digital transformation and franchise development Lam has brought a distinctive leadership focus on execution, translating strategic ambition into meaningful improvements in customer delivery, expanding the reach and effectiveness of physical and digital channels, and strengthening engagement across SME, business and wealth banking through a more responsive and seamless banking experience. He has also championed a practical modernisation agenda, accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, systems transformation and operational innovation, while fostering a culture of sharper accountability, stronger performance alignment and continued investment in talent and organisational capability. Strengthening institutional discipline and talent development Lam has driven structural and cultural change, introducing the "Thoughtful & Responsible" ethos and strengthening performance frameworks to reinforce accountability, ownership and alignment with strategic priorities across the organisation. He accelerated workforce transformation through artificial intelligence adoption, capability building and cross-functional talent development. A key pillar of his approach is the "One Bank" philosophy, which promotes collaboration and long-term customer relationship management across business segments. About the CEO Leadership Achievement and Best Managed Bank Awards The TAB Global CEO Leadership Achievement Award is among the most selective leadership distinctions in financial services, recognising chief executives whose leadership has materially transformed the performance, direction and standing of their institutions. It is not awarded for short-term success or isolated performance metrics. It recognises leadership that delivers sustained strategic outcomes, organisational discipline, commercial strength and the confidence of stakeholders across customers, shareholders, regulators and employees. Presented alongside it, the Best Managed Bank Award reflects a complementary principle: that leadership is ultimately measured by the institution it builds. The strongest banks do not emerge by accident. They are the product of disciplined execution, coherent strategy, operational resilience and a culture capable of sustaining performance over time. The Best Managed Bank Award recognises institutions that embody those qualities and stand as benchmarks within their markets. Together, these awards celebrate leadership not as title or personality, but as institutional achievement made visible. Visit https://tabglobalawards.com/leadership/ for details. About TAB Global TAB Global owns and manages a number of world class digital content platforms namely, The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society, BankQuality.com as well as learning platforms like The Banking Academy and The Skill Store. Incorporated in Singapore, it has offices in Beijing, Dubai and support offices in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, with plans to expand to Johannesburg, London, Zurich and New York. Visit https://www.tab.global/ for details. Media contact Nanda Lakhwani Editor TAB Global Email: nlakhwani@tab.global
