It also proved to be an interesting challenge. This was before JavaScript (Netscape’s LiveScript then) was around and frames had just been released, but barely used. And it was certainly before you could do things like control whether the borders were on or off, for instance. The challenge arose because HongkongBank wanted the site to be very avant garde (since that was how users of the Web were portrayed at the time) yet still have the feeling of Malaysia to it. Hmm. Avant garde, yet traditional. Hmm.

How I overcame that conundrum was by using a very light Malay batik pattern as the background image - for the feel - but very oddly shaped graphical buttons. They represent the categories they take users to. It was hardly your typical bank site, even for today, but it seemed to have just the right results because they, and the Malaysian ministers and media, seemed thrilled during our successful press launch in Kuala Lumpur.

I have my reservations about it now, but I suppose since it met the client’s criteria and pleased them, I should be satisfied. The iconic animations for each section were quite fun and rewarding at least. [<-- See left]

Also, after Poppe Tyson won HongkongBank Worldwide’s Web site business, Malaysia refused to be apart of the Group site - wanting to keep this one at that time.

Online banking components and other such integrated tools were not available during this period because of the fear of security and the backward infrastructure in Malaysia. I did write a proposal to overcome these problems as well as inserting an ATM/Branch locator system, a real-time foreign exchange rate indicator as well as a host of features to demonstrate to users why Malaysia would be an excellent country to invest in to offset the fears of the economic collapse. However the client felt it would be better at that juncture to focus on their environmental protection efforts.