Even after years of living and working in Hong Kong, I am continually inspired by its breathtaking skyline.
Each time I gaze at the glittering skyscrapers from my office, I am reminded of the vibrant energy that defines this financial hub and the broader region we serve.
In this metropolis, Bank of Singapore stands strong, poised to seize the unparalleled opportunities in Greater China.
More importantly, we are committed to making a meaningful difference for the clients we serve by providing them with the best advice and a platform to access services and products they have not accessed before.
When I took on the role of Head of Private Banking for Greater China and Chief Executive of our Hong Kong branch, we were navigating a period of transformation amid heightened market volatility. With this backdrop, I set an ambitious goal: to grow our AUM by 50% by 2026.
My confidence in this goal stems from my belief in Bank of Singapore.
Even before joining, I observed a remarkable interest in Singapore as a secure destination during times of global uncertainty, along with a strong desire among clients to enhance their presence in Asia and diversify their assets across regions and banks.
Having spent over 28 years in the industry, I have witnessed the evolution of the global wealth management and private banking landscape, with dominance shifting from American to European and now to Asian banks.
This shift towards Asia is not surprising, considering the region's economic growth and the increasing number of high-net-worth individuals.
With the rise of Asia, I believe that there is an opportunity for Bank of Singapore – a home-grown, full-fledged private bank bearing the Singapore name – to take a larger, more global scale.
Over the last decade or so, Singapore has steadily grown in stature as a global financial and wealth management centre. Its stable political environment and strong regulatory framework also provide confidence to investors and clients.
When I spoke with mentors, colleagues and friends in the industry about my decision to leave my former bank, I received a consistent message: I should join a Singapore bank.
Reflecting on my career thus far, I feel fortunate to have joined banks that have experienced significant growth and development for at least a decade or more.
I see joining Bank of Singapore as yet another great opportunity – one that allows me to be part of the beginning of a multi-decade wave of prominence for Asian private banks.
Building a strong, unified team
When I assumed my role last year, I was impressed by what I saw at Bank of Singapore – not just in how it operates, but how it approaches its clients and people.
Rooted in Asia yet global in perspective, Bank of Singapore is well-positioned to provide tailored advice and solutions that meets each client’s unique needs. This allows us to capitalise on the rising demand for wealth management and cross-border financial services.
Already, I am excited to share that Bank of Singapore’s Hong Kong branch is well on track to achieve the goal I set last year.
In the past 12 months, we have increased our number of relationship managers by close to 30%, attracting seasoned top talent. During my first few months with the bank, I spoke to potential candidates every day, and everyone we offered a role to accepted.
This demonstrates their confidence in the potential of Bank of Singapore, an Asian, Singapore bank, and is also undoubtedly a reflection of our people-centred culture and strong brand reputation.
Nevertheless, we remain selective, hiring only the best with the right values and cultural fit. That last point is important, and adds to what makes Bank of Singapore a special place to work.
Being a recent joiner myself, I can attest to the genuine warmth of the people at Bank of Singapore – people I have forged strong bonds with so quickly and easily.
The warmth I received from colleagues in Hong Kong and senior management in Singapore, including those across OCBC Group, is not something one sees in many organisations.
This culture fosters a genuine sense of unity, allowing us to operate as One Group – a cohesive global team dedicated to serving clients across our key regions and working together to achieve collective growth.
Focusing on our fundamentals and value proposition
The past 12 months have been a journey of adaptation, and renewed purpose – both for Bank of Singapore in Greater China, and for me in my move to the bank.
The private banking sector is undergoing significant transformations, set against a backdrop of an evolving geopolitical environment.
As such, it is crucial for us to stay focused on our value proposition and build upon it.
To continually motivate us, I like to draw from my own personal source of inspiration: The area of sports.
Despite achieving unparalleled success, top athletes such as Roger Federer and Michael Jordan never stopped striving for improvement and excellence.
They proved time and again that they could relentlessly refine their skills, adapt to changing times, and explore new ways to elevate their game.
This unwavering commitment to growth motivates me in my own life, and I strive to cultivate such principles within the team at Bank of Singapore’s Hong Kong branch.
To elevate our own capabilities moving forward, we will continue to deepen our talent pool and develop the existing team, invest in our technology, and offer excellent advisory and exclusive products to meet our clients’ needs.
I am optimistic about what lies ahead for us in Greater China, where there is vast potential and bright opportunities for the reasons I mentioned above.
In years to come, I am confident that we will become the top choice for both clients and candidates, achieving our mission to be Asia’s top private bank.
