Bank Persatuan Malaysia Bhd will open a branch in Melaka soon in an effort to expand its operations nationwide. Chairman Omar Mat Som said with the opening of the branch in Melaka town, the first in the south, Bank Persatuan would have 14 branches in the country. It currently operates in Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perlis, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang and Kelantan. \"I hope the opening of the new branch will serve as a catalyst towards a more competitive business environment,\" he said at a scholarship presentation ceremony here today. Omar also said Bank Persatuan planned to open a branch each in Negeri Sembilan and Johore in the near future.