The Commercial Banks in China Town

Before 1960, there was only on commercial bank in Town, i.c. Mercantile Bank, and is now known as HSBC (Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Corp). In early 1960`s, Malayan Banking and Chartered Bank open their branches in Kuala Terengganu. Both these banks operated from Jalan Kampong Cina, as other parts of the Town were not develop yet for commercial purposes.

THE MALAYAN BANKING opened its branch from a house, No. 162, which was formally Kew Leong Aerated Water Factory. The flavour then was `orange` only. Due to certain circumstances, the building fell into the hand of another person. The factory owner, a very nice old man was broken hearted and passed away soon after. When UMNO building in Jalan Sultan Ismail was completed in late 1960`s, the Bank shifted in until its own building across the road was ready in 1981.

THE CHARTERED BANK opened its branch in 1961, and was housed in old Kuang Tung Association, just opposite  old Hokkien Huay Kuan building at the entrance of Jalan Kampong Cina. In late 1960`s, it moved to its own building in Jalan Sultan Ismail, but the branch in Kuala Terengganu closed down in 2009. The building is now occupied by Hong Leong Islamic Bank and OSK Investment Bank.