What are friends for?

I want this post to serve as a record of what people are saying about my book, Ten Thousand Prosperities: The Story of Ban Hin Lee Bank.

First, from Lim Sian Pheng who worked formerly as the Legal Manager at Rockwills Corporation Sdn Bhd. He wrote:

I opened my first and only current account with this bank. The account is still active but is now under CIMB. Can't help feeling nostalgic when reading the book. After all, BHLB did have a close connection with the first n only company I worked with. I was also privileged to know its last Chairman Dato Seri Goh Eng Toon who became the Chairman of our trustee company for some years. A very humble n down to earth person.

The story of the founder of the Bank, Yeap Chor Ee was one of those rags to riches stories. I'm glad to see the publication of such a book because I felt it was a pity that such a unique bank (only bank with its HQ outside our capital) with such an auspicious name should become history so soon. At least now with this book, it will leave a record for posterity.

It's an interesting read. Not only you will learn about the Bank but also see how banking has evolved over the decades. There are also lots of interesting photos showing items or banking paraphernalia which should now belong to museums.

Syabas SS Quah for writing this book. I'm sure your ex-colleagues n ex-bosses will be appreciative of your labour.

And second, from Liong Chian Min, who wrote on his facebook:

A special shout-out to my friend & chess mate SS Quah, for his latest book on the story of Ban Hin Lee Bank (BHLB)! 📕 The book was aptly titled  “Ten Thousand Prosperities”, which is the literal meaning of Ban Hin Lee (萬興利)🏦 

Launched just on Sunday (Aug 1st, 2021), it told the story of BHLB, its rags-to-riches founder Yeap Chor Ee, its incorporation in 1935 & its history during WWII, Merdeka, Malaysia formation & KLSE listing till 2000 when it’s integrated into Southern Bank.

As BHLB was the first bank originated in Penang, its legacy is closely interlinked with the history of the Pearl of Orient. 🏝 

The book also related the inside story of staff camaraderie, their social activities, their event participation, newsletters, as well as the bank ethos & identity, the Director meetings, old documents etc.

Who can ever forget the collection of BHLB Chinese zodiac coin boxes during 1980s (see pix below)? I still recall my mum religiously taking me to BHLB every year to get this unique coin box😅. 

Anyone of you still had those at home?

Last but not the least, its Appendix Seven has an impressive list of thousands of ex-BHLB staff. If you are an ex-staff there, it’s likely that your name is there too! 😁👍

Thanks Quah Seng Sun for capturing this fascinating history of BHLB & taking us down the memory lane. 😁👍

Third, from Norliza binti Othman from her facebook post too:

Super excited semalam terima buku ni.

Ban Hin Lee Bank, nama yang gah satu ketika dulu dalam dunia perbankan mengabadikan banyak kenangan yang indah dalam sejarah kehidupan Cik Liz. 

Bangga berpeluang menjadi salah seorang ahli keluarga besar BHLB. Di sinilah bermulanya Cik Liz mengenal dunia pekerjaan. 

Tak disangka rupanya jodoh Cik Liz pun berjumpa di sini. Hahaha. 

TRANSLATION:

Super excited yesterday to receive this book.

Ban Hin Lee Bank, a once famous name in the banking world, captures many beautiful memories in my life history.

Proud to have the opportunity to be one of the big family members of BHLB. This is where I got to know the world of work.

Unexpectedly, I also met my life mate here. Hahaha.