KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 2): Standard Chartered Malaysia has appointed Lai Pei-Si as its Country Head of Retail Banking for Malaysia.

In a statement today, it said Lai will be succeeding Aaron Loo, who has left the bank to take on another opportunity. She will be reporting to Abrar Anwar, managing director and chief executive officer, Malaysia, as well as Sebastian Arcuri, Regional Head, Retail Clients, Asean.

"Lai is highly experienced in the retail banking business and has an in-depth understanding of client needs.

"I am confident that under her leadership, we will be able to deliver on our retail banking strategy and steer the business into a new and exciting period of opportunities and evolution. We look to Lai to achieve our ambitious growth agenda," Abrar said.

Lai joined the bank in 1999 and brings with her 20 years of experience covering retail banking, strategy, product management, branch operations, regulatory governance, and business optimisation.

She was most recently the Head of Strategic Programmes in Standard Chartered Singapore, where she was responsible for the implementation of strategic agendas for all businesses in Singapore, including the country's digitised agenda.

"I look forward to the opportunities this role brings at this pivotal point in the bank's history. Malaysia is fast seeing the rise of the emerging affluent amidst a shifting digital landscape.

"As we evolve in sync with our clients' digitally connected lives, I am committed to ensuring that we not only stay at the forefront of this change but continue to make banking easier and help our clients meet their dreams and ambitions," she said.