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I have always been impressed by Bank of Singapore. Its entrepreneurial spirit and rapid growth over the last 14 years since its launch on 29 January 2010 were among the reasons I decided to take on the role of its CEO last March.
As a quick introduction, Bank of Singapore is headquartered in Singapore. We are the private banking subsidiary of OCBC - the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets with one of the world’s highest credit ratings.
Founded from OCBC’s acquisition of ING Asia Private Bank, we are today among the top 10 private banks in Asia and among the top five by number of bankers in the region. Our AUM has grown from about US$20 billion in 2010, to US$116 billion as at end-September 2023. In 2016, the acquisition of Barclays’ wealth and investment business in Singapore and Hong Kong also led to an over-20% increase in AUM and a deepening of talent.
Our clientele today is global, and we serve them from seven different locations around the world with Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai being our key hubs.
These successes did not come overnight. The previous management team took it upon themselves to set ambitious goals and hit new milestones several times in the past 14 years in order to grow the bank at the pace that it did. Kudos to the good people that steered the bank to where it is.
As we celebrate 14 years, I can confidently say we will not rest here. Our intent is to build on previous successes and sharpen our capabilities for the next stage of growth. Our aspiration is to be the top Asian Private Bank, rooted in Asia but global in perspectives and capabilities.
The next stage
It is clear to me that the road ahead for us remains bright and presents even more opportunities for our taking.
Over the last decade or so, Singapore has grown steadily in stature as a global financial and wealth management centre. In fact, analysts have shared widely that it is likely a matter of time before Singapore becomes the world’s leading wealth management centre.
Singapore’s stellar reputation as a wealth management hub is well established thanks to its modern infrastructure, solid legal system, economic stability, respected regulatory framework, and matured ecosystem of legal and tax advisors, professional trustees, and other wealth management service providers.
As the CEO of a Singapore private bank, and a Singaporean, I can say that all this is why the team and I are proud to carry the ‘Singapore’ name and be the flagbearer of the Singapore wealth management industry.
The intellectual capital, the service mindset and the people at Bank of Singapore are set for growth. We are building up our capabilities so we can continue to thrive amidst shifting market dynamics, technological advancements and intensifying competition.
As CEO, I look closely at our goals. Last year, we undertook a large reorganisation that has led to strengthening our hub-to-region strategies, more robust in-market oversight and governance, and further sharpened our focus on Family Offices and financial intermediaries.
We also established a unit dedicated to meeting our customers’ business and financial needs beyond wealth management, through greater collaboration with our parent company OCBC. We want to make it clear that we offer clients a comprehensive suite of financial solutions (from corporate and commercial banking to treasury to insurance) through the OCBC Group’s strong network across ASEAN and Greater China.
And as our people stand alongside our clients, so too do I walk alongside Bank of Singapore employees. My people know that I am a big ‘team’ person, for in my experience at previous firms, I saw that individuals coming together always generated success. I speak about this a lot to my people, who are already entrepreneurial in mindset when it comes to servicing and developing their clients and books. Now, I wish to strengthen our culture of teamwork, for true collaboration leads to business excellence.
Therefore, as we go on to make strategic hires across our three hubs and seven offices, we will continue to prioritise values such as teamwork, collaboration and shared ownership – including shared ownership of clients’ issues so that they feel that we walk alongside them.
I’ll admit that the private banking space is a crowded one and that Bank of Singapore is by no means the only bank clients can turn to. Today, with the proliferation of fintech, it can also be easy for clients to manage their own funds.
The crucial value that we bring to our clients is then our people’s expertise and counsel, honed through years of experience and industry exposure, as well as our vast network of global partners that enable us to offer our clients a global platform of diverse products and solutions.
We are firmly committed to our role to educate and advise our clients on navigating the volatile wealth landscape. Bank of Singapore has what it takes to provide them with innovative, holistic solutions for managing their wealth and leaving a powerful legacy for every generation.
Disclaimers and Disclosures
This material is prepared by Bank of Singapore Limited (Co Reg. No.: 197700866R) (the “Bank”) and is distributed in Singapore by the Bank.
This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. This material has been prepared for and is intended for general circulation. The contents of this material does not take into account the specific investment objectives, investment experience, financial situation, or particular needs of any particular person. You should independently evaluate the contents of this material, and consider the suitability of any product discussed in this material, taking into account your own specific investment objectives, investment experience, financial situation and particular needs. If in doubt about the contents of this material or the suitability of any product discussed in this material, you should obtain independent financial advice from your own financial or other professional advisers, taking into account your specific investment objectives, investment experience, financial situation and particular needs, before making a commitment to purchase any product.
This material is not and should not be construed, by itself, as an offer or a solicitation to deal in any product or to enter into any legal relations. You should contact your own licensed representative directly if you are interested in buying or selling any product discussed in this material.
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The Bank and its Affiliates may have issued other reports, analyses, or other documents expressing views different from the contents of this material, and may provide other advice or make investment decisions that are contrary to the views expressed in this material, and all views expressed in all reports, analyses and documents are subject to change without notice. The Bank and its Affiliates reserve the right to act upon or use the contents of this material at any time, including before its publication.
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Analyst Declaration
The analyst(s) who prepared this material certifies that the opinions contained herein accurately and exclusively reflect his or her views about the securities of the company(ies) and that he or she has taken reasonable care to maintain independence and objectivity in respect of the opinions herein.
The analyst(s) who prepared this material and his/her associates do not have financial interests in the company(ies). Financial interests refer to investments in securities, warrants and/or other derivatives. The analyst(s) receives compensation based on the overall revenues of Bank of Singapore Limited, and no part of his or her compensation was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the inclusion of specific recommendations or views in this material. The reporting line of the analyst(s) is separate from and independent of the business solicitation or marketing departments of Bank of Singapore Limited.
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Conflict of Interest Declaration
The Bank is a licensed bank regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore in Singapore. Bank of Singapore Limited, Hong Kong Branch (incorporated in Singapore with limited liability), is an Authorized Institution as defined in the Banking Ordinance of Hong Kong (Cap 155), regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in Hong Kong and a Registered Institution as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong (Cap.571) regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong. The Bank, its employees and discretionary accounts managed by its Singapore Office/Hong Kong Office may have long or short positions or may be otherwise interested in any of the investment products (including derivatives thereof) referred to in this document and may from time to time dispose of any such investment products. The Bank forms part of the OCBC Group (being for this purpose Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (“OCBC Bank”) and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies). OCBC Group, their respective directors and/or employees (collectively “Related Persons”) may have interests in the investment products or the issuers mentioned herein. Such interests include effecting transactions in such investment products, and providing broking, investment banking and other financial services to such issuers. OCBC Group and its Related Persons may also be related to, and receive fees from, providers of such investment products. There may be conflicts of interest between OCBC Bank, the Bank, OCBC Investment Research Private Limited, OCBC Securities Private Limited or other members of the OCBC Group and any of the persons or entities mentioned in this report of which the Bank and its analyst(s) are not aware due to OCBC Bank’s Chinese Wall arrangement.
The Bank adheres to a group policy (as revised and updated from time to time) that provides how entities in the OCBC Group manage or eliminate any actual or potential conflicts of interest which may impact the impartiality of research reports issued by any research analyst in the OCBC Group.
If this material pertains to an offer, it may only be offered (i) in Hong Kong, to qualified Private Banking Customers and Professional Investors (as defined under the Securities and Futures Ordinance); (ii) in Singapore, to Accredited Investors (as defined under the Securities and Futures Act 2001); and (iii) in the Dubai International Financial Center, to Professional Clients (as defined under the Dubai Financial Services Authority rules). No other persons may act on the contents of the material.
Other Disclosures
Singapore
Where this material relates to structured deposits, this clause applies:
The product is a structured deposit. Structured deposits are not insured by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation. Unlike traditional deposits, structured deposits have an investment element and returns may vary. You may wish to seek independent advice from a financial adviser before making a commitment to purchase this product. In the event that you choose not to seek independent advice from a financial adviser, you should carefully consider whether this product is suitable for you.
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The product is a dual currency investment. A dual currency investment product (“DCI”) is a derivative product or structured product with derivatives embedded in it. A DCI involves a currency option which confers on the deposit-taking institution the right to repay the principal sum at maturity in either the base or alternate currency. Part or all of the interest earned on this investment represents the premium on this option.
By purchasing this DCI, you are giving the issuer of this product the right to repay you at a future date in an alternate currency that is different from the currency in which your initial investment was made, regardless of whether you wish to be repaid in this currency at that time. DCIs are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations which may affect the return of your investment. Exchange controls may also be applicable to the currencies your investment is linked to. You may incur a loss on your principal sum in comparison with the base amount initially invested. You may wish to seek advice from a financial adviser before making a commitment to purchase this product. In the event that you choose not to seek advice from a financial adviser, you should carefully consider whether this product is suitable for you.
Hong Kong
This document has not been delivered for registration to the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong and its contents have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. Accordingly: (i) the shares/notes may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than to persons who are "Professional Investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and the Securities and Futures (Professional Investor) Rules made thereunder or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance; and (ii) no person may issue any invitation, advertisement or other document relating to the shares/notes whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the shares/notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "Professional Investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance and the Securities and Futures (Professional Investor) Rules made thereunder.
The product may involve derivatives. Do not invest in it unless you fully understand and are willing to assume the risks associated with it. If you have any doubt, you should seek independent professional financial, tax and/or legal advice as you deem necessary.
Where this material relates to a Complex Product, this clause applies:
Warning Statement and Information about Complex Product
(Applicable to accounts managed by Hong Kong Relationship Manager)
Where this material relates to a Complex Product – funds and ETFs, this clause applies additionally:
Where this material relates to a Complex Product (Options and its variants, Swap and its variants, Accumulator and its variants, Reverse Accumulator and its variants, Forwards), this clause applies additionally:
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Warning Statement and Information about Loss Absorption Products
(Applicable to accounts managed by Hong Kong Relationship Manager)
Before you invest in any Loss Absorption Product (as defined by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority), please read and ensure that you understand the features of a Loss Absorption Product, which may generally have the following features:
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It is not a protected deposit and is not protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
Where this material relates to a structured deposit, this clause applies:
It is not a protected deposit and is not protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
Where this material relates to a structured product, this clause applies:
This is a structured product which involves derivatives. Do not invest in it unless you fully understand and are willing to assume the risks associated with it. If you are in any doubt about the risks involved in the product, you may clarify with the intermediary or seek independent professional advice.
Dubai International Financial Center
Where this material relates to structured products and bonds, this clause applies:
The Distributor represents and agrees that it has not offered and will not offer the product to any person in the Dubai International Financial Centre unless such offer is an “Exempt Offer” in accordance with the Market Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the “DFSA”).
The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers.
The DFSA has not approved the Information Memorandum or taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it.
The product to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions in respect of their resale. Prospective purchasers of the products offered should conduct their own due diligence on the products.
Please make sure that you understand the contents of the relevant offering documents (including but not limited to the Information Memorandum or Offering Circular) and the terms set out in this document. If you do not understand the contents of the relevant offering documents and the terms set out in this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser as you deem necessary, before you decide whether or not to invest.
Where this material relates to a fund, this clause applies:
This Fund is not subject to any form of regulation or approval by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any Prospectus or other documents in connection with this Fund. Accordingly, the DFSA has not approved the Prospectus or any other associated documents nor taken any steps to verify the information set out in the Prospectus, and has no responsibility for it. The Units to which this Fund relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers should conduct their own due diligence on the Units. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser. Please note that this offer is intended for only Professional Clients and is not directed at Retail Clients.
These are also available for inspection, during normal business hours, at the following location:
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