CGC appoints Teoh Kok Lin and Suresh Menon as Non-Executive Directors

Petaling Jaya, July 30, 2014 – Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Teoh Kok Lin and Mr. Suresh Menon as its non-executive directors recently.

Mr. Teoh Kok Lin is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Singular Asset Management Sdn Bhd, a fund management company licensed by the Securities Commission. He has more than 25 years of banking, credit and investment experience with financial institutions, having started his career with Citibank Malaysia in 1987. He subsequently joined Barings Malaysia, HSBC Research Malaysia and UOB Kay Hian Singapore.

He is a pioneer Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) in Malaysia and is the past President of the CFA Society Malaysia. Teoh is also the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Singular Asset Management (Singapore) Ltd, which was established in 2010 and is a registered fund manager with the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Since 2002, he has managed the funds for institutions’ with a portfolio of high-net worth clients and has travelled extensively across Asia and North Asia for research and work visits. As a council member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, he presently holds the Chairman of its Fiscal & Economic Research Committee post.

Mr.Teoh holds two first-class (honours) Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Finance. He graduated first in class for his Master of Science in Industrial Administration (MBA equivalent) qualification from the Purdue University, USA.

Mr. Suresh Menon has close to 35 years of experience in various dynamic sectors such as manufacturing and the international financial and debt markets. His expertise encompasses credit analysis and rating methodology, industry guide and best practices of rating processes, credit report writing, strategic planning and development, corporate and financial analysis, personnel and skills development, operations and production management, and project management and commissioning.

Suresh has played an instrumental role in the setting up of RAM Holdings Berhad (formerly known as Rating Agency Malaysia Berhad). For 18 years, he facilitated numerous services and was on the forefront to ensure the agency reached its pinnacle. He was a Board member at RAM and a member of its Rating Committee, His last position with RAM was as an Executive Director.

He has also participated in developmental projects with international bodies namely the Asian Development Bank (ADB), APEC Business Advisory Council and the Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia (ACRAA). He was the Chairman of the ACRAA Training Committee. He was also a member of the Main Committee of the Malaysian Corporate Governance Index 2009, 2010 and 2011 for the Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group (MSWG).

Since 2010, he has been an Independent Capital Market Consultant providing consultancy and training to financial agencies and regulatory authorities in many countries. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Pacific Trustees Berhad.

Suresh graduated from the University of Madras with a Bachelor of Technology, majoring in Chemical Engineering in 1979. He obtained his Masters in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management in Philippines in 1985.

The current CGC Board consist of nine (9) members with Dato’ Agil Natt as its Chairman.

About CGC

Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) was established on July 5, 1972. Current shareholders are Bank Negara Malaysia (major shareholder) and commercial banks. The core business focus of CGC is to assist SMEs, especially those without or with inadequate collateral and track record to obtain credit facilities from financial institutions by providing guarantee cover on such facilities. CGC has cumulatively guaranteed more than 420,000 loans valued at close to RM53.9 billion since its establishment.

Today, CGC is well on track to achieve its financial sustainability agenda as envisaged under its business transformation plan. In the last four (4) years, CGC has registered an increase in its net profits ranging from RM15.6 million in 2010 to RM121.1 million in 2013.

CGC, known as the ‘credit firm for the small man’ in its early years, focused on helping small enterprises in the agricultural, commercial and industrial sectors. As the Malaysian economy expanded over the years, the demand for CGC’s guarantee services also grew in tandem and since its establishment in 1972. The range of products and services were also expanded to cater to larger credit facilities required by medium-sized SMEs.

CGC’s support for SME’s is not only confined to the provision of loan guarantees and financing facilities, but also credit information and credit rating services through its subsidiary Credit Bureau Malaysia. Through the Bureau, CGC assists SME’s to build a credit history and track record to enhance their credibility and bankability to secure financing on their own merit and at reasonable cost.

Other funds currently managed by CGC include the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) and the Bumiputera Entreprenuer Project Fund (TPUB-i) with a total allocation of RM3.5 billion and RM300 million respectively. To date, CGC had managed a total of 42 guarantee schemes including 16 government-funded schemes.

To date, 15 Islamic banks, 17 commercial banks and seven (7) development financial institutions (DFIs) are participating in CGC’s guarantee schemes, providing customers with a wide network of more than 2000 branches nationwide to avail financing.

SMEs wishing to obtain more information on CGC may call its Client Service Centre at 03-78800088 or visit www.cgc.com.my.
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