KUALA LUMPUR (March 21): United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) has launched a mobile app that matches prospective property buyers with the bank’s team of mortgage specialists.

Dubbed UOB GetBanker, it is part of the bank’s efforts to harness technology to improve customer experience.

In a statement today, UOB Malaysia said the new app draws on the best practice of ride-hailing apps to refer a prospective buyer to its mortgage banker.

"Using the UOB GetBanker app, a property buyer or agent can search for a mortgage banker based on whether they are looking to purchase a residential or commercial property, the location and the price of the property. The buyer or agent, who will then be matched with a mortgage banker on the same day, can also rate the banker’s service thereafter and add this banker as a favourite banker for future reference," it explained.

UOB Malaysia managing director and country head of personal financial services Ronnie Lim said the app will help to streamline the property buying process, making it simpler and smarter.

“As a bank with a sizeable residential mortgage loan portfolio, we know that homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the property purchasing transaction. Through the UOB GetBanker app, a mortgage banker with the relevant expertise and training is assigned to advise homebuyers," he added.

Tan said the launch of the GetBanker app is also timely as the bank expects to see more first-time homebuyers enter the housing market in the next couple of years.

"The recent introduction of government incentives for first-time homeowners and a good supply of homes modestly priced between RM400,000 to RM600,000 will encourage more Malaysians to enter the property market," he noted.

To guide property buyers more efficiently, the app provides agents and buyers with the latest interest rate information for both residential and commercial loans. It also features a loan calculator to help buyers estimate the monthly loan repayments they will have to pay.

UOB Malaysia executive director and country head of business banking Raymond Chui said the app will also enable small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access commercial property lending facilities quickly and efficiently.

Through the app, property agents and buyers will have access to more than 290 residential and commercial mortgage specialists across the bank’s network nationwide.