Hong Leong Bank traces its roots back to 1905 in Kuching, Sarawak, making it one of Malaysia’s oldest homegrown banking institutions and today the country’s fifth-largest bank by assets.
What you need to know about this credit card
- Minimum income: RM24,000 per year (RM2,000/month), or pledge a fixed deposit of at least RM2,000 in place of income proof.
- Age eligibility: 21 to 65 years old for the principal cardholder, and 18 years old and above for a supplementary cardholder.
- Annual fee: RM0 for life on both principal and supplementary cards, with only a compulsory RM25 government service tax charged each year.
- Finance charges: Interest on unpaid balances ranges from roughly 15% to 18% p.a.; late payment charge is RM10 or 1% of the outstanding balance, whichever is higher, capped at RM100.
Pros
- No annual fee for life, no conditions attached: skip the yearly bill entirely, with nothing to spend or swipe to keep it free.
- Zero foreign exchange conversion markup: most Malaysian banks add a 1% admin fee on every overseas swipe; this card doesn’t.
- Personalise your card: add your own name or a nickname to the card face, a small touch most cards don’t offer.
- Accessible income requirement: qualify with just RM24,000 a year, or pledge a RM2,000 fixed deposit instead.
- Seamless digital banking: manage your card anytime through Hong Leong Connect online and mobile banking, with automatic e-statements.
Cons
- No rewards, points, or cashback: this is a no-frills card, so you won’t earn anything back on your everyday spending.
- Standard finance charges still apply: carrying a balance costs around 15%–18% p.a., same as most conventional cards.
Why choose Hong Leong Bank for your credit card?
Maybank credit cards charge an overseas transaction fee of around 2.25%–2.5%, while the Hong Leong I’m Credit Card removes that foreign exchange markup completely.
CIMB’s standard credit cards apply the usual 1% overseas transaction fee, but the Hong Leong I’m Credit Card waives that cost on every purchase made abroad.
RHB credit cards charge a 1% overseas transaction fee on top of network charges, whereas the Hong Leong I’m Credit Card keeps international spending markup-free.
Public Bank Quantum Visa applies a 1.25% foreign exchange spread on overseas purchases, but the Hong Leong I’m Credit Card lets you spend abroad without that extra cost.
BSN Visa Cash Back requires a minimum annual income of RM48,000, while the Hong Leong I’m Credit Card opens the door at just RM24,000 — half the requirement.
How to apply for your Hong Leong I’m Credit Card
If you’re tired of paying for a card that barely rewards you, it’s time for something refreshingly simple. With zero annual fees for life and zero overseas markup, the Hong Leong I’m Credit Card is the easiest way to spend at home and abroad without extra costs eating into your budget, click below and apply in minutes.