Dr Wee Cho Yaw
Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Adviser
“Honour and integrity must never be compromised in a banker. These values have guided us since our founding in 1935.”
Dr Wee Cho Yaw, visionary, banker extraordinaire, community pillar and celebrated pioneer, is highly regarded in Singapore and internationally.
He retired from the UOB Board in 2018 following more than 60 years at the helm of the UOB Group. Under his leadership and guidance, UOB became one of the leading banks in Asia. The Bank’s regional network grew from 75 to more than 500 branches and offices and through disciplined and sustainable growth, assets increased from $2.8 billion to more than $253 billion.
While Dr Wee was at the helm, UOB
He retired from the UOB Board in 2018 following more than 60 years at the helm of the UOB Group. Under his leadership and guidance, UOB became one of the leading banks in Asia. The Bank’s regional network grew from 75 to more than 500 branches and offices and through disciplined and sustainable growth, assets increased from $2.8 billion to more than $253 billion.
While Dr Wee was at the helm, UOB
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1965Opened 1st overseas branch in Hong Kong
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1971Acquired majority stake in Chung Khiaw Bank (CKB)
Opened Tokyo branch -
1973Acquired Lee Wah Bank
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1975Opened London branch
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1977Opened New York agency
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1980Opened Los Angeles agency
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1983Opened Seoul representative office
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1984Opened Beijing representative office
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1985Expanded into Sydney and Xiamen
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1986Expanded into Vancouver
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1987Acquired majority interest in Industrial & Commercial Bank in Singapore
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1992Set up representative office in Vietnam
Set up Taipei representative office -
1994Expanded into Yangon
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1997Subsidiary UOB Malaysia merged with subsidiary CKB Malaysia
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1998Opened Shanghai branch
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1999Acquired Westmont Bank in the Philippines
Acquired Radanasin Bank in Thailand -
2001Acquired Overseas Union Bank in Singapore
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2004Acquired 96.1% in Bank of Asia Public Company in Thailand
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2005Increased controlling stake of PT Bank Buana in Indonesia to 61.1%
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2009Opened Mumbai branch
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2010Merged PT Bank UOB Indonesia with PT Bank UOB Buana
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2015Completed full acquisition of Far Eastern Bank in Singapore
Officially opened Yangon branch, adding to UOB’s unparalled Southeast Asian network
Dr Wee has received many accolades for his business achievements and support of education, community welfare and the business community. Among the awards conferred on him are the Distinguished Service Order, Singapore’s highest National Day Award, ASEAN Business Advisory Council Legacy Award for Singapore and Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Letters from the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
In recognition of his contributions and given his wealth of experience and insight, he remains as Chairman Emeritus and an Honorary Adviser to the Board.
In recognition of his contributions and given his wealth of experience and insight, he remains as Chairman Emeritus and an Honorary Adviser to the Board.