Dessertation

Influences of Brand Equity towards the market capitalization of Public Bank in Malaysia

Research Background

Established in 1966 by its Founder and Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow, Public

Bank is a leading provider of financial services in Malaysia with banking operations in Hong Kong

and China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Sri Lanka.Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow, the

Chairman of Public Bank was born in Singapore on 14 March 1930. He attended his formal

primary and secondary education at the Anglo Chinese School in Singapore. He is married to Puan

Sri Datin Sri Tay Sock Noy since 1956 and they are blessed with four children. He began his

banking career in 1950 as a Bank Clerk in Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd. and rose in

rank to officer within five years. He joined Malayan Banking Berhad as Manager in 1960. Later in

1964, he was promoted to the position of General Manager at the young age of 34.Tan Sri Teh then

left Malayan Banking in 1966 to set up Public Bank. He has since overseen its evolution into a

modern and integrated financial institution with a wide network of 248 domestic and five overseas

branches. (View Appendix 1)Tan Sri Teh is currently the Chairman of Public Bank Group. He also

holds leading positions in various organizations such as Public Foundation, Malaysia; LPI Capital

Berhad, Malaysia (Group) and Tong Meng Industries Ltd. Singapore (Group).

Today in Malaysia, Public Bank is one of the most efficient banks as reflected by its low

cost to income ratio. Public Bank is the most recognized brand in the Malaysian financial services

industry for its strong brand promise. In terms of size, it is the third largest domestic bank in

Malaysia by market capitalization and balance sheet. Public Bank is an industry leader in home

mortgage financing, vehicle hire purchase financing and commercial lending to small- and

medium-sized enterprises. Also, in Malaysia,...