We wish to announce that Bank Negara Malaysia ("BNM") had, vide its letter dated 12 April 2013, stated that it has no objection for AFFIN to commence preliminary negotiations with HDBS to acquire and merge the businesses of HwangDBS Investment Bank Berhad including other financial services businesses of HDBS with AFFIN banking group ("Proposed Acquisition").

The said approval to commence negotiations is valid for a period of six (6) months and should not be construed as an approval for the Proposed Acquisition. AFFIN would be required to obtain the prior approval of the Minister of Finance, with the recommendation of BNM, pursuant to the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 or the new Financial Services Act 2013, before entering into any agreement to effect the Proposed Acquisition.

We will make further announcements as and when there are material developments pertaining to the Proposed Acquisition.

This announcement is dated 15 April 2013.