NewsLatest News on SecuritiesA Top-Tier Bank and a Leading Financial Corporation Acquired Additional Stakes in ACLEDA Bank Plc.

A Top-Tier Bank and a Leading Financial Corporation Acquired Additional Stakes in ACLEDA Bank Plc.

August 24, 2015

Phnom Penh, August 24, 2015 – following the approval of the National Bank of Cambodia on August 17, 2015, ACLEDA Bank Plc., a leading Cambodian commercial bank for all sectors, has announced today that Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), a top-tier Japanese bank acquired a 6% additional stakes, overall stakes increased to 18.25% and ORIX Corporation (ORIX), a leading integrated Japanese financial services group acquired a 6.25% additional stakes, overall stakes increased to 12.25% from JSH Asian Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited (Jardines), in ACLEDA Bank Plc.

Mr. Shosuke Mori, Managing Director, Head of Asia Pacific Division of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) said, "Building on our successful collaborative relationship with ACLEDA Bank Plc. established since August, 2012, we are honored to acquire an additional 6% stake in ACLEDA Bank Plc. This additional investment will accelerate SMBC's efforts to realize our Asia-centric strategy, and enable SMBC to serve diverse customers' needs through extending our network to fast-growing emerging countries. With this deeper relationship, we want to further contribute to the economy of Cambodia and also support ACLEDA Bank Plc. in achieving its Vision of providing superior financial services to all segments of the Cambodian community."

Mr. Shuji Irie, Executive Officer, Head of Investment and Operation Headquarters of ORIX Corporation, said, "We believe that ACLEDA Bank Plc. is the most successful commercial bank in Cambodia. We are proud of acquiring additional shares in the Bank. We are looking forward to being a cooperative shareholder in the phase of its further growth and expansion in ASEAN."

Dr. In Channy, President and Group Managing Director of ACLEDA Bank Plc., said, "With more than 23 year experience, ACLEDA Bank Plc. has significantly grown with its customers and strategic partners. It always listens well to its value customers and partners and introduces the financial services and products required by them. He highlighted that the significant shares acquired by SMBC and ORIX are proof of the high level of investor trust in ACLEDA Bank Plc.'s great achievement in its leadership in Cambodia Financial Market as well as it's important role in the ASEAN arena."

"The additional shares acquired by strategic investors SMBC and ORIX, will build up both capital portion in future and ACLEDA Bank Plc.'s capacity and expertise on top of the strength existing in ACLEDA Bank Plc. resources so that it can fulfill its role as the market leader in ASEAN as well as the regional market in responding to the substantial financial service and product need of its broad base customers. SMBC and ORIX have acquired the entire shareholding (12.25%) of Jardines, an existing investor. Following the internal shares transferring, SMBC will be one of the major shareholders owning 18.25% of ACLEDA Bank Plc.'s shares, and ORIX will own 12.25% of ACLEDA Bank Plc.'s shares," he added.

Mr. Peter Beynon, Jardine Matheson Group Country Chairman said that "We believe that the increased investment by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and ORIX Corporation is very positive for ACLEDA Bank Plc’s continued growth. We have been proud to have been a supportive shareholder of ACLEDA Bank Plc during its successful development in recent years. Jardines remains very positive about the future of Cambodia and our strong commitment to the country continues with a range of investments including real estate and retail."

About Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)

SMBC is a top-tier Japanese bank operating globally with total assets of US$ 1,290 billion, a Core Tier 1 capital ratio of 12.61% and credit ratings of A+ (S&P) and A1 (Moody's) as of March, 2015. Through its 441 domestic branches (excluding sub-branches and banking agencies) in Japan and 70 overseas branches (including subsidiaries, sub-branches and representative offices) all over the world, SMBC provides a broad range of financial services including deposit taking, corporate finance, structured finance, securities investment, money transfer, foreign currency exchange, corporate bond trustee services and custody services, financial futures underwriting, and investment trust sales. SMBC's holding company, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG), is listed on the Tokyo, Nagoya and New York Stock Exchanges and its market capitalization was around US$54 billion as of March, 2015. For more information on SMBC, please visit SMFG's website at www.smfg.co.jp/english.

About ORIX Corporation (ORIX)

ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is a financial services group which provides innovative products and services to its customers by constantly pursuing new businesses. Established in 1964, from its start in the leasing business, ORIX has advanced into neighboring fields and at present has expanded into lending, investment, life insurance, banking, asset management, automobile related, real estate and environment and energy related businesses. Since its first overseas expansion into Hong Kong in 1971, ORIX has spread its businesses globally by establishing locations in a total of 36 countries and regions across the world. Moving forward, ORIX aims to contribute to society while continuing to capture new business opportunities. For more details, please visit ORIX's website at www.orix.co.jp/grp/en.

About ACLEDA Bank Plc.

ACLEDA Bank Plc., the bank you can trust, the bank for the people, has become the top bank in Cambodia since 2010. It's established in 1993 as an NGO for Small and Micro Enterprise Development transformed to a specialised banking in October, 2000 and it obtained as a full-fledged commercial banking in 2003. By the end of June, 2015, ACLEDA Bank Plc. has 255 branches throughout Cambodia, 41 branches and offices in Laos, and 6 branches and offices in Myanmar with the total assets of roughly US$3,643 million, loans outstanding of US$2,305 million, and deposits of US$2,637 million. It has four subsidiaries such as ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd., ACLEDA Securities Plc., ACLEDA Training Center, and ACLEDA MFI Myanmar Co., Ltd.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. PROM Visoth
Executive Vice President & Group Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of ACLEDA Bank Plc.
E-mail: visoth@acledabank.com.kh