In April 1973, when I joined Public Bank as a clerical staff member, these beautiful metal coin boxes were distributed to customers who opened savings or fixed deposit accounts.

During Malaysia’s COVID-19 lockdown period—from 18 March to 9 June 2020, spanning the MCO, CMCO, and EMCO (a total of 84 days)—life slowed down significantly. Staying safe meant staying home, with no jogging, socialising, shopping, or even guitar jamming.

Apart from resting and meals, I kept myself meaningfully occupied by sorting and compiling the souvenirs, gifts, and memorabilia I had received from Public Bank over the years. This collection reflects my 35-year journey with the bank, from 1973 until my retirement in 2008—a personal archive of memories and milestones.

1975 – Received the Certificate of Attendance with Distinction from Outward Bound School (Course No. 203), indicating an important accomplishment in personal development. A comprehensive report is provided below:

Penang Dragon Boat Festival 1976.

Penang Dragon Boat Festival 1977.

Penang Dragon Boat Festival 1978.

1981 Public Bank Group Anniversary souvenir.

1985 - Volleyball Souvenir from Public Finance Bhd.

Break the ice-say Hello; Have a good day! May I help you!

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1986 - The Public Bank Executive Chairman's New Year Message.

1986 - Team Public Bank/Finance - Taiping Inter-Bank & Finance Co. volleyball tournament organised by Public Bank Kamunting. En Awang Salleh the Kamunting Branch Manager sitting on the left side.

1986 - Team Public Finance Taiping won the volleyball tournament as champion.

1986 - Team Public Bank Kamunting won the volleyball tournament as runners-up.

1987 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1987 - The 6th Public Bank Group sports championship - gold medal for 1600M. Jr. Vet. Walking (front view)

1987 - The 6th Public Bank Group sports championship - gold medal for 1600M. Jr. Vet. Walking (back view)

1987 - The 6th Public Bank Group sports championship - gold medal for 1500M. Jr. Vet. Walking (front view)

1987 - The 6th Public Bank Group sports championship - gold medal for 1500M. Jr. Vet. Walking (back view)

1987 - The 6th Public Bank Group sports championship - gold medal for running.

1987 - Kejohanan Olahraga Kumpulan Public Bank

1988 - Th Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1988 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1989 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1990 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1991 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

In 1991, the Public Bank Group celebrated its 25th Anniversary by giving all staff a gold coin each.

1991 - Team Public Bank/Finance - 3rd place for Taiping Inter-Bank/Finance Co 7-aside soccer tournament organised by HSBC.

1992 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1992 - Public Bank launched "Doing It Right For You" campaign - Your Needs Our Focus, Our Service Commitment Continues, and First In Quality Service.

1993 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1993 - The Public Bank's watch carabiner souvenirs for all staff.

1994 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1994 - The Public Bank 28th Anniversary gift, envelope opener souvenir for all staff.

1995 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1995 - Public Bank souvenir for staff in conjunction with the completion of Menara Public Bank at Jalan Ampang, KL.

1995 - Public Bank souvenir in conjunction with the completion of Menara Public Bank in KL.

1995 - The Public Bank souvenir for all staff.

1996 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1996 - The Public Bank 30th Anniversary gift - vintage table clock & key holder for all staff.

1996 - The Public Bank 30th Anniversary gift, a vintage table clock & key holder for all staff.

1997 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1998 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1998 – Ching Neng Bin received the 25 Years Long Service Award, including a gold coin, presented by Teh Hong Piow at the bank’s 32nd Anniversary Banquet.

1999 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

1999 - Public Bank was awarded the Best Bank in Malaysia, souvenir mug for all staff.

2000 - The Public Bank President's New Year Message.

2000 - Public Bank Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Teh Hong Piow's 70th Birthday gift on 14.03.2000.

2000 - Public Bank Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Teh Hong Piow's 70th Birthday gift.

2000 - The Public Bank 34th Anniversary Banquet souvenir - Mardi Gras Carnivale.

2001 – Public Bank President’s New Year Message: “Spreading Our Winning Ways for Continued Excellence”

Public Bank provided premium management diaries annually to Branch Managers and valued customers.

Public Bank provided premium management diaries annually to Branch Managers.

2002 – Public Bank President’s New Year Message: “Strengthening Our Culture for Total Excellence”

2002 – Public Bank Branch Managers’ seminal group photograph (left half) with Teh Hong Piow.

2002 – Public Bank Branch Managers’ seminal group photograph (right half) with Teh Hong Piow.

2002 – Public Bank Branch Managers’ seminal group photograph with Teh Hong Piow.

2002 – Public Bank Branch Managers’ seminal group photograph with Teh Hong Piow

2002 – Elegant invitation scroll for the 72nd birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

2002 - Public Bank Y.Bhg Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Teh Hong Piow's Grand 72nd birthday gift.

2002 – Public Bank was awarded Corporate Excellence by the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, with a pewter photo frame presented to all staff

2002 – Public Bank photographs published by Patricia Teoh Kim Seing in honour of Teh Hong Piow.

2003 – Public Bank Chairman’s New Year Message: “Our Quest Continues to Be the Best”.

2003 – Elegant invitation card for the 73rd birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

2003 – Commemorative pewter coin gift for staff, celebrating the grand 73rd birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

2003 – Public Bank souvenir handbook for the 37th Anniversary Grand Banquet, held at the Grand Lagoon Ballroom, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel on 2 August 2003, with Teh Hong Piow as Guest of Honour.

2003 – Message from En. Razak Dali, Organising Chairman of Public Bank’s 37th Anniversary Banquet.

2003 – Public Bank 30 Years Long Service Awardees from Perak: Lee Kam Wah and Ching Neng Bin.

2003 – Ching Neng Bin received the 30 Years Long Service Award, including a gold coin, from Teh Hong Piow at Public Bank’s 37th Anniversary Grand Banquet, held at Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel.

Public Bank 35 g, 999.9 Fine Gold Coin (Front View).

Public Bank 35 g, 999.9 Fine Gold Coin (Back View).

2004 – Public Bank Chairman’s New Year Message: “One Belief, One Team, One Focus”.

8 May 2004 – Public Bank Business Briefing Session Group Photograph.

2004 – Birthday card for Teh Hong Piow’s 74th birthday.

2004 – Elegant invitation card for the 74th birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

8 May 2004 – Public Bank Business Briefing Session Group Photograph.

2004 – Public Bank Perak Region souvenir handbook for the 38th Anniversary Dinner, held at Syuen Hotel on 19 June 2004, with Teh Hong Piow as Guest of Honour.

2004 – Message from Mr. Jerry Wong Tuck Kwai, Organising Chairman of Public Bank’s 38th Anniversary Banquet.

2004 – Public Bank Ipoh staff performance at the Perak Region 38th Anniversary Dinner, held in the Syuen Ballroom, Ipoh.

2004 – Public Bank Ipoh managers’ performance at the Perak Region 38th Anniversary Dinner, held in the Syuen Ballroom, Ipoh.

2004 – Public Bank Perak Region 38th Grand Anniversary Banquet souvenir: Fairy Tales and Fantasies.

2004 – Public Bank Selangor Region souvenir handbook for the 38th Anniversary Dinner, held at the Grand Pyramid, Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre on 21 August 2004, with Teh Hong Piow as Guest of Honour.

2004 – Message from Mr. Patrick Lee Yoke Keong, Organising Chairman of Public Bank’s 38th Anniversary Banquet.

2004 – Public Bank Selangor Region 38th Anniversary Banquet souvenir: X’treme Las Vegas.

2005 – Public Bank Chairman’s New Year Message: “Continue Raising the Bar of Excellence”.

2005 – This is Public Bank: A 287-page pictorial book compiled in honour of Teh Hong Piow, showcasing the bank’s memorable moments, songs, spotlight events, musical performances, souvenirs and mementos, awards and accolades, and behind-the-scenes highlights.

Public Bank Glorious Year 2005 - Memorable Moments.

Public Bank Glorious Year 2005 - Sound of Music.

3 February 2005 – Public Bank Inaugural National Sales Convention, held at Menara Public Bank.

2005 – Grand 75th birthday invitation for Teh Hong Piow.

2005 – Public Bank’s invitation card commemorating the grand 75th birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

2005 – Souvenir handbook for the 75th birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

2005 – Message from Datuk Tay Ah Lek, Managing Director of Public Bank, featured in the 75th birthday souvenir handbook.

2005 – Message from Teh Hong Piow featured in the 75th birthday souvenir handbook.

2005 - Public Bank Ipoh managers’ performance, The King & I, for Teh Hong Piow’s grand 75th birthday.

2005 – Public Bank’s gift commemorating the grand 75th birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

2005 – Special birthday gift by Public Bank honoring Teh Hong Piow’s grand 75th birthday.

2005 – Public Bank Selangor Region souvenir handbook for the 39th Anniversary Dinner, held at the Grand Lagoon Ballroom, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel on 20 August 2005, with Teh Hong Piow as Guest of Honour.

2005 – Message from Mr. Chong Yam Kiang, Organising Chairman of Public Bank Selangor Region’s 39th Anniversary Banquet.

2005 – Public Bank Perak Region’s 39th Anniversary Dinner souvenir handbook, held on 3 September 2005 at Syuen Hotel, with Teh Hong Piow as the Guest of Honour.

2005 – Message by Mr. Jerry Wong Tuck Kwai, Organising Chairman, for Public Bank Perak Region’s 39th Anniversary Banquet held at Syuen Hotel on 3 September 2005, with Teh Hong Piow as Guest of Honour.

2005 – Public Bank Ipoh staff showcased Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs in celebration of Public Bank Perak Region’s 39th Anniversary Banquet, with Teh Hong Piow as the honoured guest.

2005 – Ching Neng Bin won the Public Bank Management Seminar 2005 Quiz.

2005 – Ching Neng Bin won the Public Bank Management Seminar 2005 Quiz, receiving a 1 oz 925 Fine Silver prize.

2006 – Public Bank Chairman’s New Year Message: “Surmounting Challenges, Perpetuating Excellence”

16 January 2006 – Public Bank National Sales Convention, held at Menara Public Bank.

2006 – Invitation card for Teh Hong Piow’s 76th birthday.

2006 – Grand 76th birthday invitation for Teh Hong Piow.

2006 – Message from Dato’ Sri Tay Ah Lek, Managing Director of Public Bank, featured in the 76th birthday souvenir handbook.

2006 – Message from Teh Hong Piow featured in the 76th birthday souvenir handbook.

2006 – Special gift by Public Bank honoring Teh Hong Piow’s grand 76th birthday.

2006 – Public Bank gift presented in celebration of Teh Hong Piow’s grand 76th birthday.

2006 – Public Bank Group marked its 40th Anniversary on 6 August 2006.

2007 – Public Bank Chairman’s New Year Message: “RENEW, REVITALISE, REINFORCE”.

2007 Public Bank Organiser.

2007 – Public Bank’s invitation card commemorating the 77th birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

2007 – Elegant invitation card issued by Public Bank in celebration of Teh Hong Piow’s 77th birthday.

2007 – Message from Dato’ Tay Ah Lek, Managing Director of Public Bank, featured in the 77th birthday souvenir handbook.

2007 – Message from Teh Hong Piow featured in the 77th birthday souvenir handbook.

2007 – Elegant invitation card issued by Public Bank in celebration of Teh Hong Piow’s 77th birthday.

2007 – Special gift by Public Bank honoring Teh Hong Piow’s grand 77th birthday.

2007 – Public Bank Selangor Region’s 41st Anniversary Dinner souvenir handbook, held on 11 August 2007 at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, with Teh Hong Piow as Guest of Honour.

2007 – Message from Mr. Paul Kong, Organising Chairman of Public Bank Selangor Region’s 41st Anniversary Banquet.

2007 – Public Bank Selangor Region 41st Anniversary Banquet souvenir: Viva Forever.

2007 – Teh Hong Piow: A Banking Thoroughbred, authored by Datuk Paddy Bowie.

2007 – Teh Hong Piow: A Banking Thoroughbred, authored by Datuk Paddy Bowie

2008 - The Public Bank Chairman's New Year Message "Pushing Beyond BARRIERS".

2008 - Public Bank Y.Bhg Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow's 78th birthday invitation card.

2008 – Featured message by Dato’ Sri Tay Ah Lek, Managing Director, in Public Bank’s souvenir handbook.

2008 – Message from Teh Hong Piow featured in the souvenir handbook.

2008 – Public Bank gift presented in celebration of the grand 78th birthday of Teh Hong Piow.

31 March 2008 – Ching Neng Bin received a retirement gift from Public Bank Perak Regional Office, presented by Regional Manager Mr. Ng Boon Kem, during the Retirement Dinner at Royal Casuarina Hotel.

31 March 2008 – Retirement gift honoring Ching Neng Bin, presented by Mr. Ng Boon Kem, Regional Manager of Public Bank Perak Regional Office.

31.03.2008 - Ching Neng Bin receiving the 35gm pure Gold Coin being 35 years long service award from Mr Ng Boon Kem on my retirement dinner hosted by Perak Regional Office.

31 March 2008 – Ching Neng Bin received a 35 gm pure gold coin as the 35 Years Long Service Award, presented by Mr. Ng Boon Kem at the Retirement Dinner hosted by Public Bank Perak Regional Office.

A 5 oz gold coin, presented by Mr. Ng Boon Kem as a retirement gift from Public Bank, was subsequently delivered to Ching Neng Bin at the Perak Regional Office

A meaningful retirement gift from a Chinese scholar met during travel in China, featuring a poem crafted with my Chinese name, 秦能斌.

The consequences of being retired....

My Public Bank Souvenirs and Mementos (1973–2008)

A Chronicle of 35 Years of Service, Memories, and Milestones

By Ching Neng Bin

Introduction

In April 1973, I began my journey with Public Bank as a clerical staff member. Among my earliest memories were the beautifully crafted metal coin boxes distributed to customers opening savings or fixed deposit accounts—simple tokens that reflected the bank’s commitment to service and goodwill.

Over the next 35 years, my career with Public Bank became more than just a profession—it was a journey filled with experiences, friendships, achievements, and treasured moments.

During the COVID-19 lockdown period from 18 March to 9 June 2020, I took the opportunity to revisit and compile the many souvenirs, gifts, and mementos I had collected throughout my years of service, from 1973 until my retirement in 2008. This collection is a reflection of that remarkable journey.

Early Years and Personal Milestones (1973–1998)

1973 – Joined Public Bank as clerical staff
1975 – Awarded Certificate of Attendance with Merit, Outward Bound School Course No. 203
1998 – Recipient of the 25 Years Long Service Award, presented with a gold coin

Building Excellence (2001–2004)

Chairman’s New Year Messages

2001 – Spreading Our Winning Ways for Continued Excellence
2002 – Strengthening Our Culture for Total Excellence
2003 – Our Quest Continues to Be the Best
2004 – One Belief, One Team, One Focus

Corporate and Commemorative Highlights

Corporate Excellence Award by KLSE (pewter photo frame gift)
Anniversary banquets and regional celebrations
Birthday commemorations and invitations honouring Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow
Management diaries for managers and valued customers

2003 Milestone

30 Years Long Service Award – Presented with a gold coin at the 37th Anniversary Grand Banquet

A Year of Celebration and Recognition (2005)

Chairman’s Message

Continue Raising the Bar of Excellence

Major Highlights

Publication of This is Public Bank (287-page commemorative pictorial book)
Inaugural National Sales Convention

75th Birthday Celebrations

Invitation cards, souvenir handbook, and commemorative messages
Messages from Managing Director and the Chairman
Performances including The King & I

Anniversary Celebrations

39th Anniversary Banquets (Selangor & Perak Regions)
Souvenir handbooks, chairman messages, and performances

Personal Achievement

Winner, Public Bank Management Seminar Quiz
Awarded 1 oz 925 Fine Silver prize

Continuing Excellence (2006–2007)

Chairman’s Messages

2006 – Surmounting Challenges, Perpetuating Excellence
2007 – Renew, Revitalise, Reinforce

Key Events

National Sales Conventions
Public Bank 40th Anniversary (2006)

Birthday Celebrations (76th & 77th)

Invitations, souvenir handbooks, and messages
Commemorative gifts

Anniversary Banquets

Selangor Region 41st Anniversary (Viva Forever)
Souvenir handbooks and organising chairman messages

Publication

Teh Hong Piow: A Banking Thoroughbred by Datuk Paddy Bowie

Final Year and Retirement (2008)

Birthday Commemoration

Messages and 78th birthday gift

Retirement Tribute – 31 March 2008

A memorable Retirement Farewell Dinner was held in honour of Ching Neng Bin, marking the conclusion of a remarkable 35-year journey with Public Bank.

Colleagues from the Sales and Marketing Department of the Perak Regional Office gathered to celebrate shared memories and lasting friendships.

Ching Neng Bin delivered a heartfelt talk accompanied by a slide presentation, reflecting on his 35 years of experiences, adventures, and milestones with the bank.

He expressed sincere gratitude to all staff for their unwavering support and kindness throughout his career.

Mr. Ng Boon Kem, Perak Regional Manager, delivered a speech recognizing his dedication and contributions.

Awards and Presentations

Retirement gift from Perak Regional Office
Cheque from Officers’ Retirement Benefits Fund
35 gm pure gold coin for 35 years of service
5 oz gold coin as a special retirement gift

A Personal Keepsake Beyond Banking

A meaningful retirement gift was also received during a backpacking journey in China, where a Chinese scholar composed a poem using the name 秦能斌, adding a personal and cultural touch to this life chapter.

Closing Reflections

This collection of souvenirs and mementos represents more than objects—it reflects a lifetime of dedication, growth, friendships, and shared success.

From a young clerk in 1973 to retirement in 2008, the journey with Public Bank has been one of pride, purpose, and lasting memories.

Adiós, amigo. Farewell, my friend—and thank you for the journey.

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My 35 years in Public Bank

Public Bank Memorabilia Collected Over 35 Years (1973–2008)