KUALA LUMPUR (May 5): RHB Banking Group Bhd expects to increase the number of users of its mobile application by 33% over the next 12 months, via the newly launched RHB Now Mobile Banking App.

Its group managing director Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli said the bank currently has about two million Internet banking users, out of which 300,000 are accessing the services via RHB's app.

The app allows users to transfer funds using mobile numbers, email or Facebook, without using a bank account number. RHB said the new app also features 20% less steps to complete transactions, compared to its predecessor, making it convenient for customers.

"The RHB Now Mobile Banking App provides our customers with a simple, fast and seamless platform to manage their banking transactions.

"Currently we have 300,000 users accessing our services via our app, and we expect to grow our active user base by 100,000 users in the next 12 months. The target is achievable, and I'm confident we can meet it," said Khairussaleh at the launching ceremony for the new app today.

Moving forward, he said RHB will continue to push on with other initiatives as well, in line with the group's digital strategy.

Without disclosing the details, Khairussaleh said the group will be looking at digital solutions for the affluent and mass market, as well as the small-to-medium enterprise and non-retail segments.

Meanwhile, on the group's strategy to expand its presence overseas, he said that RHB will expand organically where possible, but does not discount inorganic growth as well.

"Currently we have a presence in nine countries in Asean. We would like to expand organically as much as possible, but we are not adverse to inorganic growth either. Our regional aspiration is still there and our target is still to have 20% of our profit contributed by our overseas operations by 2020," he said, adding that its foreign operations currently contribute about 11% to its bottom line.

He said that RHB's Singaporean business, comprising asset management, commercial banking and securities, is growing. The synergising of the three businesses in Singapore will contribute towards the group's 2020 target, he added.