OCBC first Singapore bank to get woman CEO; Helen Wong to take over from Samuel Tsien

Appointment of veteran Greater China banker signals continued focus on the region: analyst

Published Sat, Jan 9, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S second-largest bank has picked a seasoned hand in Greater China to lead the charge for the lender's next phase of growth, and with that, its first female CEO.

OCBC on Friday said Helen Wong, former chief executive of HSBC in Greater China, will be its new group chief executive officer from April 15. The 59-year-old will also be the first woman to head a Singapore bank.

Ms Wong takes over from Samuel Tsien, who will retire after 14 years with the bank, nine of which were as group CEO. Having significantly built the OCBC franchise into a "much more diversified and resilient" business, Mr Tsien, 66, will retire on April 14, said the lender.

Sanford C Bernstein analyst Kevin Kwek told The Business Times that Ms Wong's appointment signals the bank's continued focus on Greater China, given her …