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:
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1965
Opened 1st overseas branch in Hong Kong
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1971
Acquired majority stake in Chung Khiaw Bank (CKB)
Opened Tokyo branch
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1973
Acquired Lee Wah Bank
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1975
Opened London branch
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1977
Opened New York agency
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1980
Opened Los Angeles agency
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1983
Opened Seoul representative office
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1984
Opened Beijing representative office
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1985
Expanded into Sydney and Xiamen
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1986
Expanded into Vancouver
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1987
Acquired majority interest in Industrial & Commercial Bank in Singapore
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1992
1st Singapore bank that set up office in Vietnam
Set up Taipei representative office
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1994
Expanded into Yangon
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1997
UOB Malaysia merged with CKB Malaysia
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1998
Opened Shanghai branch
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1999
Acquired Westmont Bank in the Philippines
Acquired Radanasin Bank in Thailand
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2001
Acquired Overseas Union Bank in Singapore
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2004
Acquired 96.1% in Bank of Asia Public Company in Thailand
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2005
Increased controlling stake of PT Bank Buana in Indonesia to 61.1%
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2009
Opened Mumbai branch
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2010
Merged PT Bank UOB Indonesia with PT Bank UOB Buana
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2015
Completed 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.
"Honour and integrity must never be compromised in a banker. These values have guided us since our founding in 1935."
