Market applause is the result of focus and sticking to our time-tested values says CHRISTINE IP, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UOB Hong Kong.


A leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 branches and offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America, UOB has the largest ASEAN footprint among 3 Singapore banks and is rated among the world’s top banks.

“We are committed to achieving sustainable and stable growth that creates long-term value across our Group. Our prudent and disciplined approach to banking is guided by our values of honour, enterprise, unity and commitment,” says Christine Ip, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UOB Hong Kong.

Growth Prospects

“Macroeconomic conditions will remain challenging in 2016, driven by a combination of several factors – continued volatility in commodities pricing and impacted companies in oil and gas, shipping and other related industries; uncertainties caused by lower rates of growth in China and Western markets; and continued political risks in the Middle West. While the resulting impact on trade and investment flows will affect companies in Asia in 2016, we remain confident of the long-term fundamentals and opportunities in the region,” says Ip.

“Asia is projected to account for a quarter of global consumption and more than 60 per cent of the world’s trade by 2020. The expanding consumer base in ASEAN countries and Greater China will present clients with opportunities for growth that outpace other parts of the world. In addition, free trade and open market initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community, Belt and Road (OBOR), Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will continue to influence and drive our clients’ investments in the region.”

“To support the long-term growth aspirations of our clients and our shareholders, we will continue to invest in enhancing our product offerings and network coverage capabilities to deliver innovative solutions across the region. Key areas include cash management, financial supply chain management and in our partnership with Global Markets product teams. In addition, we will build on the strengths of our Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking and Financial Institutions teams as we enhance our onshore coverage of key markets such as Greater China.”

Value-Added

“With demand for Renminbi (RMB) financial solutions intensifying in tandem with China’s rising economic influence as the world’s largest trading nation, we will continue to strengthen our RMB capabilities to support our clients. Our RMB Solutions team is closely attuned to the business impact and opportunities arising from the internationalisation of the RMB and apply this knowledge to meeting our clients’ RMB needs in cash management, trade finance, foreign exchange, investment and hedging. Hong Kong, in addition to its role as product hub for Greater China, also acts as a RMB solution hub for the Group and lead Greater China business development.”

Ip says: “Our Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) Advisory Unit has built a network of partnerships with government agencies, business forums and policy and legal experts to support our clients as they consider strategic expansion in Asia. To facilitate further intra-regional trade and investment opportunities of our clients in Asia, we signed four new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with government agencies and private sector organisations last year.

In enhancing our support of our Commercial Banking clients, we strengthened our coverage by opening two Commercial Banking Centres at Tsim Sha Tsui and Kwun Tong in 2015.”

Strong Focus

“We focus on wholesale banking strategy in Hong Kong at this stage. We are dedicated to helping companies and institutions of different sizes and complexities, ranging from quality mid-caps and local large corporates to state-owned enterprises and foreign investment enterprises in China, and multinational corporates, achieve strategic objectives. We accomplish this by providing our clients with tailored financial solutions and advice to help them optimise their business operations and cash flow, manage risk, expand their operations, enter into new markets and manage their capital needs. Our unique combination of local, in-country presence and expertise, astute Asia market insights and regional network connectivity enable us to unlock the Asia’s potential for our clients,” concludes Ip.

For additional information please visit www.uobgroup.com


Hong Kong’s Business Leaders share market and interest intelligence in the pages of HKMVC 2017