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Maybank shows some heart for disabled

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2010/06/20By Naveen Mathew Menon

CHERAS: Banking giant Maybank has once again shown its compassionate side by launching five disabled-friendly branches and 11 other branches with some disabled-friendly facilities.

Now, the disabled can easily use the banking services in branches such as the one in Taman Connaught. Senior executive president and head of Maybank's Consumer Banking Lim Hong Tat said the bank was happy to offer such facilities to its disabled customers.

"We are pleased to officially launch the largest number of branches, five in total, that provide services and facilities for customers who are physically-challenged, namely wheelchair-bound users," said Lim at the launch of the new branch in Taman Connaught.

"Our disabled-friendly facilities extend from outside the building with designated parking lots and ramps to provide easy access from the main road to the branch premises."There are specially-built ATM machines installed at a suitable height for those requiring self-service banking, cash deposit machines as well as a customer care desk for those who require counter services.

"The facilities at this branch have been designed in accordance with the Guidelines On Buildings Requirements For Disabled Persons issued by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as well as input from the Damai Disabled Persons Association."We thank the association for its cooperation in the design of the facilities. The other four disabled-friendly branches are in Sitiawan and Lumut in Perak, Senawang, Negri Sembilan, and the Petaling Jaya main branch. "About RM280,000 was spent to upgrade the branches to be disabled-friendly," he said.

Eleven other branches also incorporated some disabled-friendly features such as ramps for easier access to the premises. Maybank plans to have such disabled-friendly facilities in 12 more branches by the end of July next year."All new branches will incorporate disabled-friendly facilities if the infrastructure of the premises permit and if they are in accordance with local authorities guidelines. Our aim is to have at least one disabled-friendly branch in every state."He added that this initiative was all part of Maybank's core values called "Heart", an acronym for humility, efficiency, appreciation, respect and trust.

"Maybank is celebrating its 50th year in the financial services sector. Given this golden opportunity, we felt there was no better time than now to reaffirm our commitment to the community."Also present at the launch were V. Murugeswaran, president of Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan and M. Manoharan, vice-president of the association and Janice Ong, branch

manager of Maybank branch in Taman Connaught.