here's some history lesson for u:-
in 1997-98 crisis PBBANK loss 85% of its market cap. At current price 8.50, it only lose 28% of its market cap from its peak.
Even if it drop to 5.00, it only lose 58% of its market cap. Assuming the same loss of 85% repeating, it's price will drop to 1.85.

The above does not suggest that the price will drop to certain value. It's just history lesson.

Agree with ante5k, as there are no diff...... get the cheaper one 

Pbbank -O1 is for those foreigners that bought it got voting right in it. Because they limit foreign shareholding (with voting right) up to 30%.

Foreigner still can buy Pbbank (local), but no voting right.

While Malaysian still can buy Pbbank-O1 which entitled all the same benefit with Pbbank (local).

So if both are the same and identical in term of benefit as shareholder, which one to buy? This answer I don't need to giv already. 

Tay AK is just a doer, not so much a strategic thinker, to survive in Malaysia Banking, strategic thinker is important.

if u ask senior management, Teh HP is still very much hands on, he even look at loan portfolio, and approval of loan, to that extend. He attended mgmt meeting weekly......

Genting is having a very good succession planing, uncle Lim pass to his son year b4 he pass away. And his son is running the show independantly...... he is no longer hands on after pass over the baton.

In microsoft case, bill gate and his founder group still in control, and he is not old enuf to worry about succession .

blue chip will drop too, I guess you will not say the same word if you bought at may 2008.
may 2008 -> 11.80 drop to march 2009 -> 7.00.
The importance are fundamental analysis(Guess you do not need this for pbb because pbb is a solid company), but technical analysis is important including those news/goverment decision that will affect finance sector.

PS: now is around the top, do you think pbb will stay at 12.00 forever? or keep increase forever? everything up will down eventually, maybe this time will reach another peak which is at 15 and drop back. Nobody can correctly give you the exact answer.

Hmm, finance counter do not solely rely on "profit", any speech or decision made by government or "news"(such as subprime etc etc) would definitely affect the counter price.

PS: I'm didn't say PBB is a lousy counter, I just wanna say that even thought you are buying a solid company's stock, TA is very important to maximize profit. Entering market blindly will minimize your profit unless you want to keep it for maybe 20years, then the effect is too small to be able to notice.